9/2/19 Caulfield Tips: CF Orr Stakes Preview 2019
Weir's ghost to linger
AAP| Distance | 1400m |
| Grade | Group 1 |
| Track Rating | Good 4 |
| Prizemoney | $500,000 |
| Class | WFA |
| 2018 winner | Hartnell ($6.00) |
The CF Orr Stakes marks Melbourne's first Group One event for the year and this year's edition takes centre stage under a cloud of controversy.
A number of these horses have been transferred out of both the Darren Weir training camp and ownership.
However, you can expect the ex-Weir gallopers to still dominate and create plenty of rumblings of discontent within racing circles.
One in particular creates interest, with a slashing first-up effort (3 of 10) over the unsuitably short 1200m at Moonee Valley. He looks primed.
Godolphin also have a strong hand and a close market watch is advised in the last few minutes of betting to determine their readiness.
Caulfield Track Traits
Caulfield is currently rated a Good 4 with the rail in the True position the entire circuit and fine conditions predicted for Saturday.
With the rail in this position, expect both on-speed and run-on profiles to have their chance. On all tight turning tracks however, a slight advantage should be considered for those racing close to speed.
Racing Market Movers
Brave Smash has been heavily supported in early betting, having been backed in from an opening $20 quote to now trade at $8.50.
Race favourite Kementari is on the drift, out to $3.30 from $3.00 openers.
Key Runners
#1 Brave Smash $20 > $8.50
Was disappointing first-up in the Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley, when he looked to have every hope yet could still only manage 9 of 10.
He is at his best over the sprint trips, where the pace is on and he can fly home over the top off a hot speed.
Could not see him troubling the leading hopes here and expect a market drift. No.
#4 Kementari $3.00 > $3.30
"Special K" has let punters down on recent occasions and does prove somewhat of a tease.
He was ultra impressive when placing four runs back in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes, where he was wide with no cover and still kept coming.
The first-up numbers are okay (4:1-2-0) and I'm not willing to completely sack him just yet.
Will need luck in running, but if he gets the favours can win. Take on trust.
#6 D'argento $11
Is most likely to need it longer and will have bigger targets heading into Autumn, including the Doncaster.
Still can't deny he has the talent to win first-up over 1400m and from gate 1, McEvoy will spend nothing.
He is certainly a winning hope, but may find a few of these a shade too sharp this time.
#7 Land Of Plenty $5.50
His second-up stats are enormous (5:3-0-2) where he's never out of the money.
He was clearly the run of the race when getting home hard at Moonee Valley to place first-up over the unsuitably short 1200m sprint trip.
Back to a circuit with more room here and over more ground, he is sure to run well. Must go on top. Yes.
#16 Whispering Brook $6.50
Was a solid performance winning the Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley, when heavily supported in betting.
She did win as a 2yo over this distance, however she's been kept to sprint trips in recent times.
Expect the added journey to test her late, however she was far too impressive last start to ignore.
Of The Others
#14 Fifty Stars is an ex-Weir runner who warrants close attention here, now back to her preferred trip (1400m).
She found the sprint trip at Moonee Valley too short last start and can easily bounce back here.
A small case can also be made for #8 Best Of Days, who has won first up (3:1-0-0) and is entered by the dominant Godolphin stable.
Watch betting late with this runner.
Best Racing Tips
1st Land Of Plenty
2nd Fifty Stars
3rd Kementari
4th Whispering Brook
Where else can you get free horse racing tips where the tipsters all have validated profit statistics?
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