Melbourne trainer Darren Weir makes it back-to-back Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes

By Chris Roots and Adam Pengilly
Updated September 27 2015 - 7:13pm, first published September 26 2015 - 8:15pm
Too strong: Country jockey Greg Ryan steered Alart to victory at Rosehill to claim his second black-type win.  Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au
Too strong: Country jockey Greg Ryan steered Alart to victory at Rosehill to claim his second black-type win. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au

A year after scoring his first Victorian group 1 win, the state's champion trainer Darren Weir went back-to-back in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes after Stratum Star won a head-bobbing finish from Disposition. "We thought he was going to run a battling third, but then the weight pull swung his way and he was able to duck his head the right way," Weir said after it took the judge a long time to separate Stratum Star from the former West Australian. A wayward Under The Louvre, which loomed to win at the 100-metre mark, was close-up in third. Stratum Star's jockey Craig Williams couldn't hide his delight once informed of the decision while returning to scale. "That's what it felt like out there," he said. "This horse has done a great job from barrier 18. He wouldn't be in this race if it wasn't for the care and attention put in by Darren Weir and his stable. It's been a lucky race for me and it's been a lucky race for my father [trainer Allan Williams]." Stratum Star's value as a stallion prospect has soared because of the result with Weir likely to target the Toorak Handicap with the four-year-old. "I picked this race [Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes] out a long time ago and targeted it," Weir said. "We tailored the preparation towards it and he got a terrific ride from Craig. If we didn't get the ride he wouldn't have won the race."

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