Trainer Cliff Brown celebrated his first Group 1 win since returning from Singapore as Sepals produced a classy performance in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Despite stumbling at the start from a wide gate, Sepals ($3.50) was driven forward by Craig Williams to sit second before sprinting clear and holding off Miss Rolumbini by three-quarters of a length. Feroce ($31) ran third, with the winning time just shy of the course record.

“This is very special,” Brown said. “I’m really pleased for everyone … He’s a special horse and he deserves the attention that he gets.”

Brown, a multiple Group 1-winning trainer before his Singapore stint, returned to Australia in 2021 and came close with The Inferno in the Manikato Stakes. Saturday’s triumph helped erase memories of Tarnpir Lane’s narrow defeat in the same race back in 1997.

Williams said Sepals has even bigger wins ahead. “It’s hard to win Group 1s and he’s done it … He’s got more to come.”