On Saturday Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra’s classy mare Response scored an upset win in the $350,000 Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Four-year-old Response ($4.80), ridden tactically by Craig Williams, went straight to the lead in the 2010 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes despite the trainers having discussed settling the Charge Forward mare fifth or sixth.

However Williams’ experience and wisdom proved the perfect move, as Response held on in a thrilling front-running effort to narrowly defeat fellow mare No Evidence Needed ($13) by a long-neck with Queenslander Woorim ($17) charging to the line a further short half-head away for third.

Peter Moody’s Doubtful Jack ($3.30) started as the hot favourite but failed to live up to expectations, finishing a well-beaten sixth.

The punters got behind Response in the late betting market, the mare firming from $6.50 into $4.80 moments before the race.

In our Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Preview, we tipped Response and No Evidence Needed as two light-weight chances to bet on through Sportsbet and any punters that took our advice would have enjoyed a nice win!

Response was backing up from two eye-catching second placings in both the Cockram Stakes and Let’s Elope Stakes, the latter won by Saturday’s runner-up No Evidence Needed.

The win on Saturday pushed Response’s record to three wins from eight starts for $460,775 in prize money.

Set for a sensational spring campaign, Response’s main target this season will be the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) on Victoria Derby Day (2500m).

The other Group 1 feature at Caulfield on Saturday was the Underwood Stakes where hot favourite So You Think thrashed its rivals to win, further shortening in the 2010 Cox Plate betting.

Other highlights of the day included the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) where Anacheeva defeated the highly fancied Toorak Toff, and Group 3 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) won by Peter Snowden’s Divorces.

The next big race during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival will take place under the lights at Moonee Valley this Friday night, the Group 1 Manikato Stakes.

For the best odds on the race get in early and sign up with [sportsbet] today!

2010 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Results