Last weekend’s Testa Rossa Stakes winner Keen Array is among the seventeen nominations for the 2016 Group 1 $500,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Keen Array, above, is among the nominations for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Lindsay Park trained Keen Array was back in the winner’s circle at his second Spring Carnival run when he claimed a narrow victory over Well Sprung in the Listed $120,000 Flight Cancer Foundation Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m).

At his previous start the Bel Esprit four year old ran on well for a first up second to Voodoo Lad in the Listed $120,000 SAJ Fruit Supply Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 3.

Lindsay Park co-trainers David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig have also nominated Fast ‘N’ Rocking for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

Fast ‘N’ Rocking made up some ground from the back when third to Voodoo Lad in the Listed $120,000 Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 13 but was then well beaten when eleventh to the same galloper in the SAJ Fruit Supply Stakes.

The Darren Weir trained Voodoo Lad is also nominated for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes along with stalemate Telopea.

Telopea was a winner three runs back at Flemington in the $120,000 Leilani Series Final (1400m) on July 9 and will be stepping up to Group 1 company after finishing eighth last start in the Group 2 $200,000 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 10.

Sydney leading trainer Chris Waller has nominated Counterattack for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and the four year old is coming off a first up second to stablemate Mackintosh in the Group 2 $200,000 Task Retail Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on September 10.

Counterattack is also nominated for the Group 2 $175,000 Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Stradbroke Handicap winner Under The Louvre is entered for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and will be better suited stepping up to 1400m following two runs back from a spell.

The Robert Smerdon trained six year old kicked off his Spring Carnival campaign with a second to Redzel in the Group 3 $150,000 The Resimax Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 27 followed by a fourth to Faatinah in the Group 2 $200,000 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on September 10.

The Ciaron Maher trained Bon Aurum was impressive when he found his way back into the winner’s circle in the Listed $120,000 The Sofitel (1400m) at Flemington on September 10 but will be stepping up sharply in class in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

Thames Court has been racing consistently with placings from his last two starts with a second in the Group 3 $150,000 Ladbrokes Cockram Stakes (1200m) Caulfield on August 27 followed by a second in the Let’s Elope Stakes.

Sydney mare Tycoon Tara is stepping up form a last start fourth in the Theo Marks Stakes and the Peter and Paul Snowden trained mare is also nominated for the Group 2 $400,000 Ronald McDonald House Westmead Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill.

New Zealand Derby winner Rangipo has been nominated for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and the Tony Pike trained four year old will be having his first run back since finishing ninth in the Group 3 $125,000 Sky Racing Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

2016 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Nominations