Trainer Cliff Brown was full of praise for Sepals after the gelding overcame a rocky start to claim the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield.

Jumping awkwardly from a wide gate, Sepals recovered quickly under Craig Williams to take a prominent position. The $3.50 elect showed his quality in the straight, dashing to the front and holding firm to defeat Miss Rolumbini by three-quarters-of-a-length with Feroce ($31) close-up in third. The clock stopped at 1:21.39, within a whisker of the course record.

Brown, who spent more than a decade building a reputation in Singapore before returning to Australia in 2021, said the win was particularly significant. “To win this race, it’s tremendous. These are races I grew up with as a kid and to win it now is very special,” he said.

The victory erased old memories for Brown, who saddled Tarnpir Lane when beaten in the same event in 1997 before that horse went on to the Epsom Handicap. Sepals too has an Epsom nomination, but his next target remains undecided.

“I’m really pleased for everyone involved — Jo, the kids, the staff. There’s a lot of work that goes into these horses. He’s special and deserves the recognition,” Brown said.

Williams’ ride was bold, and even Brown admitted it wasn’t what he had expected. “He came out and said he’d let him find his feet, but that went out the window,” Brown laughed. “That’s why you put the best on.”

For Williams, the win was confirmation Sepals is Group 1 class. “It’s hard to win Group 1s and he’s done it. That’s not it for this horse. He’s got such a good action and a great motor. There are bigger wins in store.”