Cliff Brown acknowledges Sepals will be facing a significant challenge when he lines up at Caulfield in pursuit of a Group 1 breakthrough.

Brown, a multiple Group 1-winning trainer during his 12 years in Singapore, returned to Melbourne in 2021 and came close to elite glory when The Inferno ran second in the Manikato Stakes. On Saturday he will rely on Sepals in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m).

Sepals has only had six career runs but already boasts a Group 2 success and a fourth in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m). He resumes at Group 1 level after easily winning a benchmark event by 4-½ lengths at Caulfield on August 30, with Craig Williams quickly securing the ride.

“He looks well and we’re hopeful,” Brown said.

“The 1400-metre start at Caulfield is tricky enough, let alone jumping from the near outside gate.

“It isn’t perfect, and it will be dependent on how the track is playing as well. He was impressive the other day, but it was a benchmark race, and we have to now go several levels higher.

“Angel Capital did it in a Group race and was just as impressive against better opposition.”

Brown said Sepals had developed into a stronger, more seasoned horse but Saturday would provide the real test against hardened Group 1 performers.

“He didn’t grow a lot, but he certainly thickened and strengthened and mentally he knows what it’s about now, so on Saturday we will find out a lot of things,” Brown said.

“But the barrier is a concern, and we must be mindful of a few factors of how the race is run, where he settles and how he runs himself.”

Punters wanting to follow Sepals in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes can find markets on Australia’s leading betting sites.