C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield betting preview, form and free tips
GROUP one racing returns to Caulfield with Saturday’s Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes where a field of 12 will line up for the $500,000 purse.
The field on show is packed full of quality with the likes of multiple group one winner Black Heart Bart, in-form sprinter Malaguerra and 2016 Caulfield Cup winner Jameka.
It’s a great day of racing which also includes the Autumn Stakes, Blue Diamond Preludes and the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes for the sprinters.
Get the best odds for Orr Stakes Day at Ladbrokes.com.au which is giving boosted odds on selected races this Saturday at Caulfield.
Race 1 – Thebigscreencompany Handicap (1800m)
Hipparchus is a last start winner which capped off some consistent form. The Chris Waller-trained five-year-old was too good for them in rating 84 grade and although it hasn’t raced at Caulfield in the past, it should run strongly against this opposition.
Refulgent is a Darren Weir-trained horse which won well on January 8. The six-year-old goes well on this track with eight starts for one win and five placings. It gets the inside draw and Ben Allen takes 2kg off its back, so respect in the market at $5.50.
Our Bottino has won this campaign and it finished close behind Dodging Bullets this campaign. The Matthew Williams-trained gelding has yet to win at Caulfield, but it’s running in good form and the weight of 54kg will help its chances. $5 with bookmakers.
Race 1 tip: Hipparchus to win ($3.20) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 2 – Hyland Race Colours Autumn Stakes (1400m)
Snitzson has won three of four starts this campaign which included an impressive win over subsequent winner Portman last start. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained colt has progressed through the grades nicely since winning its maiden in November and the $5.50 suggests it can score some black type.
Attention has commanded attention from punters and its odd have dropped from $4.20 to $4. The Snowden-trained three-year-old didn’t fire in the Expressway Stakes behind Music Magnate last start, but it runs better second up and its Sires’ Produce win was full of class.
Knowable was an upset winner at Flemington last start over a similar field. The Steve Richards-trained gelding won narrowly, but it defeated the likes of Oak Door and that form should hold up nicely for this. The three-year-old gets the inside draw and it has been specked at $6.
Race 2 tip: Attention to win ($4) at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 3 – Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m)
Limestone has been an impressive back-to-back winner which burst into Blue Diamond calculations following its win over Tulip at Caulfield. The Weir-trained filly produced a big finish to score on the line and its form prior is strong, with its only defeat coming against race-rival Catchy. It has improved significantly since that run and the $2.90 looks the right price.
Catchy is a top notch two-year-old which scored a good win on debut before asserting its quality last start. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained filly scored by over two lengths against the likes of subsequent winner Property and that form, along with having Craig Williams in the saddle, is why it’s the current $2.80 favourite for this.
Roomooz has the right connections to make its presence felt here and it scored an easy win on debut at short odds. The daughter of Fastnet Rock won by 1.2 lengths at Morphettville and it has since won a trial to prepare for this. The inside draw is ideal and punters shouldn’t discount its chances at $6.
Race 3 tip: Limestone to win (+190) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 4 – Blue Diamond Prelude 2YO (1100m)
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1129374_04]
Property was no match for Catchy on debut, but it scored an impressive win last start at Caulfield in the Blue Diamond Preview. The Robert Smerdon-trained gelding defeated race-rival Azazel by 1.75 lengths and based on that performance it should be competitive again in this at odds of $5.
Cao Cao was very impressive when winning at Moonee Valley last start and it has been well-supported in the Blue Diamond market. The Price-trained colt produced a big finish on debut to finish second behind Aspect and although that form hasn’t been franked, its last start win demands respect. $5 on offer from bookmakers.
Pariah scored a handy one-length win on debut in the Canonbury Stakes and it would have enjoyed the short break. The Snowden-trained colt will be out to prove that Sydney form is best and punters have climbed into the $3.80 which was available earlier in the week. It’s now into $3.60 and will likely continue to shorten.
Race 4 tip: Pariah to win ($3.60) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 5 – Kevin Hayes 3YO Stakes (1200m)
Fuhryk is a quality filly which didn’t have much luck in the Inglis Dash last start. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained three-year-old is a three-time winner at this distance and Craig Williams takes over the riding from Cory Parish. Expect a much better ride and a better run at odds of $4.20.
Jennifer Lynn is the class horse of the field, having won the Lexus Hybrid. The Weir-trained daughter of High Chaparral then finished third in the Sandown Guineas before resuming for second last start. It was ridden upside down on that occasion, so expect Damian Lane to settle it back before launching with a big finish. Current favourite at $3.80.
Zunbaqa scored three consecutive wins last preparation before taking on some tough opposition. The Lindsay Park filly couldn’t rise to the level of the others in the Poseidon Stakes, but it should find this slightly easier and the $7 suggests it can run a good race.
Race 5 tip: Jennifer Lynn to win (+280) at Palmerbet.com.au
Race 6 – Schweppes Rubiton Stakes (1100m)
Hellbent’s last run at Flemington should be forgiven as it was given a poor ride. The Weir-trained horse was unable to get a run at them until very late and its form prior will be a better guide for this. The four-year-old is a three-time winner at this distance and despite taking on some of Australia quickest sprinters, it should go close at $5.
Chautauqua is looking to rebound after a disappointing campaign. The Hawkes-trained gelding wasn’t able to place in the Moir Stakes or Manikato Stakes, but this is a much easier target here and class is on its side. Its trial form has been good and the Chairman’s Sprint winner could return to the winners’ enclosure here.
El Divino was solid without winning last start and it should only continue to improve with more racing. Now with Darren Weir, the three-year-old colt finished second behind Tivaci in the Kensington Stakes last start and it could show some cheek down in the weights.
Race 6 tip: Hellbent to win ($5) at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 7 – C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m)
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1129374_07]
Black Heart Bart is the class runner of the field which steps up to a distance where it has won at six times. The Weir-trained gelding finished second in the Australia Stakes last start behind Malaguerra and it should be ready to fire with that run under its belt. It has won three of four starts at Caulfield and another group one win looks a good chance.
Malaguerra has turned the corner for Peter Gelagotis after winning the Group 1 Darley Classic and then last start taking out the Australia Stakes. The five-year-old is in great form, but it’s yet to win in three starts at Caulfield and it’s not an easy track to get used to. The wide draw makes it harder, but punters are confident at $3.80.
Lucky Hussler didn’t have the best of runs in the Magic Millions Cup when finishing seventh, but it returns to Caulfield where it has had good success. There’s no denying the talent Lucky Hussler possess and bookmakers are keeping it safe at $7 after opening at $6.50.
Race 7 tip: Black Heart Bart to win (+320) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 8 – The Resimax Carlyon Cup (1600m)
Real Love is a quality mare which resumed with a solid run behind Grande Rosso last start. The six-year-old won the JRA Cup in the spring over a good field and it then ran fifth in the Caulfield Cup. It has placed only once from six starts at Caulfield which is the major concern, but it has class on its side and the $5 odds represent that.
Humidor has been ridden upside down in two starts for Darren Weir, but it’s best ridden on the speed. The New Zealand gelding has the ability to dictate the pace up front, but it will likely settle at the back again from barrier 11. It made good ground last start in the Barton Stakes without having a winning hope, but this looks a suitable target now. Consider at $4.20.
Burning Front has hit a good patch of form after back-to-back wins. The six-year-old scored an easy win at Moonee Valley last start, but it faces a much harder task here. It’s unbeaten in two starts at Caulfield which is ideal and it is a great each way hope at $4.60.
Race 8 tip: Humidor to win ($4.20) at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 9 – Bellmaine 4YO Stakes (1200m)
Silent Sedition is a four-win mare which won the Summoned Stakes last time out. The Andrew Noblet-trained runner has placed in all three starts at this track and it’s yet to finish outside of the money in three starts at this distance. Nice chance to take this out.
Abbey Marie is an unbeaten mare which went from a maiden win to winning the Oaks in only three months. The Michael Kent-trained four-year-old is fresh up here after a nine months on the sidelines and whilst it’s not expected to win after the break, it will improve with time. Bookmakers are keeping it safe at $9.50 and it’s a horse to watch for the autumn.
Ameristralia has plenty of ability as it showed when winning at Moonee Valley last start. The Hawkes-trained mare has won and placed at Caulfield and it only needs some luck from the wide draw. Look for it to get back and work home nicely.
Race 9 tip: Silent Sedition to win (+340) at Bet365.com