Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Review: A great Moment for Change

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes was run at Caulfield
Gary Crispe looks back at the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, run at Caulfield over the weekend.
Able to sit outside early leader and stablemate Mr Make Believe, Moment of Change got clear running at the 250m and skipped clear for a one and a half length length success. The Barely A Moment gelding was recording his first Group 1 victory with a performance which yielded a Timeform rating of 119.
This figure sits 7lbs clear of his previous master rating which he posted when a narrow third behind Wild And Proud and Manawanui in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) last autumn.
Historically, the 2012 renewal of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes rates higher than the previous five-year-average of the event. Moment of Change's winning figure of 119 sits only below Toorak Toff during that time who won the 2011 renewal with an effort assessed at 123.
Interestingly, Moment Of Change's father Barely A Moment won the 2005 Sir Rupert Clarke when running to 117. Barely A Moment then further enhanced his value as a stallion when claiming the Toorak Handicap (1600m) the following start. This is where Moment Of Change will go next start where he can join his father, Regal Roller (2004) and Testa Rossa (2000) in claiming the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes/Toorak Handicap double.
The strength of this year's Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is enhanced by the figures posted by some of the chasing pack, namely We're Gonna Rock and Glass Harmonium. Second placegetter We're Gonna Rock held his form after a first up Bobbie Lewis win while Glass Harmonium in fourth was only beaten 3.6 lengths despite carrying 5.5kg more than the winner.
Each are expected to also contest the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 13. Moment Of Change's first success at the top level opened up the Group 1 tally for Peter Moody's 2012/13 season.
The way Moment Of Change improved once returning to Caulfield, it might pay to give stablemate Lights Of Heaven plenty of respect once she has her first run in Melbourne this spring.
The talented mare ran to a figure of 114 when third in the Hill Stakes at Randwick last start behind Lamasery. Under the watchful eye of Peter Moody, if she can improve by anything close to what Moment Of Change has between his Sydney and Melbourne runs, Lights Of Heaven will be a force to be reckoned with come the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 20.