Caulfield Tips for CF Orr Stakes 2024

What a welcome sight.

Group 1 racing has returned to Victoria with Caulfield hosting the C.F Orr Stakes over 1400m.

Superstar and multiple Group 1 winner ‘Mr Brightside' makes his return to racing and is a $1.80 favourite to start his preparation with a bang.

The Lindsey Park stable star faces a rematch with ‘Pride Of Jenni’, who caused a boil over in the Champions Mile last Spring.

A couple of ‘new kids on the block’ will be looking to make a statement at Weight-For-Age Group 1 level in the likes of ‘Pericles’ and ‘Veight’.

While Champions Stakes winner ‘Atishu’ also makes her return to racing.

It is an intriguing contest, ‘Mr Brightside’ deserves favouritism, but he is too short for my liking and I’ll be looking to bet around him. 

 

 

Track Conditions

The track is currently rated as a Good 4 and with fine weather forecast, that will not change by race day.

The running rail comes back into the True position after being out 9m last week and it should see the track play fairly as a result.

 

The Map

• Buffalo River (1) and Pride Of Jenni (3) will fire out the gates and take up the front running.
• Top contenders Veight (2), Mr Brightside (4) and Pericles (5) will land behind the pace.
• Atishu (7) and Munhamek (9) will snag back to the rear and the other runners should settle in front of them.

There's a very good chance this race will be run at a very strong tempo with neither Buffalo River or Pride Of Jenni wanting to give up the front spot on the rail.

If they cut away at each other, it will give plenty of off-speed runners a chance.

 

See who the All-In boys like in Group 1 at Caulfield 

 

 

Caulfield Race 9 – C.F Orr Stakes (1400m)

The Favourite

It is hard to go against one of the country's elite racehorses and the best we have over these middle distances.

He loves racing at Caulfield with 3 wins from 4 starts at the track and 3 from 3 at the track and distance, and he usually goes well first-up (6:2-1-1).

While he won with this same set up last Spring, he did run 5th in this race first-up last year so there is reasons to have a slight query on how he will go here.

He's had two jump outs at Flemington leading into this first-up run and was solid in both, hitting the line strongly late in each.

He maps to get the run of the race and will take some beating.

 

 

C.F. Orr Stakes Tips and Best Bets

While Mr Brightside is the best horse in this race, the question will be if he is ready to produce a great performance against a couple of rivals who have been targeted to win this event.

This race has sprung a few surprises in recent history with the average winning price being $9.58 over the last 6 years and I am following history with my suggest play.

Landing with the 3yo Veight.

He was heavily backed to win the Australian Stakes at Moonee Valley last start and he saluted in nice style.

This has been Tony & Calvin McEvoy’s plan since the end of Spring and this looks his chance to grab a WFA Group 1 win as a 3yo Colt.

The 3yos have a superb record in this race, with 17 winners including 2 of the last 4 (Jacquinot in 2023 and Alabama Express in 2020).

He will get the run of the race alongside Mr Brightside in behind the speed and should put in a big sprint to the finish alongside the superstar.

With the fitness under his belt and only having 55.5kg on his back, he may just be able to get the edge.

Damian Lane sticks for the ride and will look to make it win number 5 from 7 rides on this son of Grunt.

 

Check out the last start effort of Veight to win the G2 Australia Stakes 

 

Obviously Mr Brightside will be right in the finish and he may prove too good with his class.

At a $1.80 however, he is not as strong of a chance as that price suggests.

Certainly will have him in a Quinella play with Veight.

 

The trial of Pericles at Warwick Farm was extremely impressive when he beat Group 1 Caulfield Guineas winner ‘Griff’ and multiple Group 1 winner ‘Think It Over’.

While he will run well in this, he has bigger targets further in the preparation and can’t see him beating Mr Brightside at level weights.

 

If the two leaders cut at each other in front, and there is a strong possibility that will be the case, then Atishu will be a big danger thumping home from the rear of the field.

While she usually takes a few runs to find her very best, the race shape could set up nicely for her here.

 

1. Veight
2. Mr Brightside
3. Pericles
4. Atishu

 

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