Saturday at Caulfield we will see the running of the first Group 1 of the calendar year, the $500,000 Ladbrokes C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m). The weight for age Autumn Group 1 has brought together a star studded field with thirteen individual Group 1 winners lining up to do battle. 2013 Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner will lead the field out which will include five times Group 1 winner Boban and Darren Weir’s three Group 1 winners Lucky Hussler, Trust In A Gust and Stratum Star.
The supporting races are also high quality with the two year olds trying to earn some points for the Group 1 $1.5m Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 27 in the two Blue Diamond Preludes for the fillies and for the colts and geldings. The open class sprinters will come together in the Group 2 $200,000 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) while the three year olds will compete in the Group 2 $200,000 Autumn Stakes (1400m).
Feature Race
All times are local Melbourne times
Race 7 – 4:30pm Group 1 $500,000 Ladbrokes C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m)
A capacity field of eighteen runners will line up in the Group 1 $500,000 Ladbrokes C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) with thirteen of them already successful at Group 1 level. 2013 Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner will wear the number one saddlecloth while trainer Chris Waller will saddle up five times Group 1 winner Boban. Melbourne Cup winning trainer Darren Weir has multiple runners with Lucky Hussler, Trust In A Gust and Stratum Star. While New Zealand will be represented with the Murray Baker trained Group 1 Emirates Stakes winner Turn Me Loose. The mares will also present a strong force in the shape of 2014 Australian Oaks winner Rising Romance, 2015 Futurity Stakes winner Suavtio and 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes winner Fenway.
Supporting Races
Race 1 – 1:30pm thebigscreencompany.com.au Handicap (1800m)
A BenchMark 96 Handicap to start the day with the David Hayes and Tom Dabernig trained Tashbeeh looking for a hat trick of wins after claiming victory over this course and distance two starts back before winning over 2000m at Flemington. Nine year old Tuscan Fire was back in the winner’s stall last start over 1700m at Caulfield and a drop in class gives him a great chance for back to back wins. Like A Carousel has competed in harder races than this and could race well fresh over the 1800m.
Race 2 – 2:00pm Group 3 $150,000 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m)
The smallest field of the day will line up in the Group 3 $150,000 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) for the fillies. Former New Zealand trained Risque looks a standout as she steps out for the first time for Lindsay Park trainers David Hayes and Tom Dabernig. Risque is dropping back to Group 3 company after winning the Group 1 NZ$300,000 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park last November. The John O’Shea trained Calaverite in the Godolphin royal blue colours looks the next best with a nose second in the Group 3 $500,000 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) at Randwick during ‘The Championships’ last year.
Race 3 – 2:30pm Group 2 $200,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude (F) (1100m)
The Group 2 $200,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) for the fillies has brought together a handy field of thirteen two year olds. The Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra trained Sword Of Light can be tardy at the start but if she is on her best behaviour has a great chance to record a hat trick after wins at Echuca and Caulfield. The New Approach filly has drawn the outside of the field but that could be in her favour as she will go into the barriers last and hopefully the starter won’t hold them very long. Concealer and Calliope were both winners in the Spring and are certain to make a race of it as will Zamzam who was an impressive first up Moonee Valley winner a fortnight ago.
Race 4 – 3:00pm Group 3 $200,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) (1100m)
A full field of sixteen two year olds will line up in the Group 3 $200,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) for the colts and geldings. Trainer Mick Price will saddle three youngsters, China Dream, Los Cabos and boom two year old Flying Artie. Flying Artie is coming off an impressive all the way win in a Geelong barrier trial and Damien Oliver will have to be at his best to overcome the outside barrier. The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Defcon has the benefit a recent race start with a first up second in the Group 3 $150,000 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago but also has to deal with a wide barrier. The well-bred Cohesion was an all the way winner in the Listed $150,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) (1000m) at Caulfield on Australia Day and Weatherly is certain to take plenty of benefit from his debut sixth behind Cohesion when he was slow out of the gates.
Race 5 – 3:30pm Group 2 $200,000 Rubiton Stakes (1100m)
The open class sprinters will test each other’s speed in the Group 2 $200,000 Rubiton Stakes (1100m). Group 1 winning mare Politeness has a great first up record as well as being a winner over this course and distance and will be hard to beat first up. The Robert Smerdon trained five year old claimed her Group 1 win against her own sex in the $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington and then was narrowly beaten when second in the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington again during the Spring Carnival. Adelaide sprinter Eclair Choice always races well when trainer Phillip Stokes brings him to Melbourne and he is a genuine chance again. Husson Eagle collected his biggest prize to date with a last start win in the $1m Magic Millions Sprint (1100m) at the Gold Coast in January while Tried And Tired is finding it hard to break through for a win with three placings from his last four starts.
Race 6 – 4:00pm Group 2 $200,000 Autumn Stakes (1400m)
A quality field of three year olds will line up in the Group 2 $200,000 Autumn Stakes (1400m). The Darren Weir trained Mahuta is chasing his sixth win on the trot following his victory in the 2m Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January. The Flying Spur three year old was also successful during the Melbourne Spring Carnival with a win in the Group 2 $250,000 Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Sandown. Holler took on the older horses to win the Group 2 $200,000 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley three weeks ago and will be hard to beat back to his own age group. Group 1 Champion Stakes winner Vanbrugh and Group 1 Victoria Derby winner Tarzino are certain to sprint well fresh but will be better suited when the distances get longer.
Race 8 – 5:00pm Group 3 $150,000 T.S. Carlyon Cup (1600m)
Trainer Gerald Ryan has targeted two of his charges, Dance On Stars and Red Excitement for the Group 3 $150,000 T.S. Carlyon Cup (1600m). Dances On Stars is fitter for recent racing and will be wearing the winkers for the first time after finishing fourth last start in the Listed $120,000 Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on January 16. Red Excitement has failed to live up to his early expectations but if he races up to his potential could figure in the finish. Old stager Extra Zero has been freshened up following an unsuccessful trip to Perth and a win here wouldn’t surprise. Burning Front has been racing well in lower grades but could be the surprise runner going on his last start two and three quarter lengths win in the $150,000 VOBIS Gold Star (1514m) at Moonee Valley three weeks ago.
Race 9 – 5:30pm Group 3 $150,000 Bellmaine Stakes (1200m)
The mares line up in the Group 3 $150,000 Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) to wrap up C.F. Orr Stakes Day. Lightly raced mare Azkadellia has a perfect first up record of three from three and looks well placed here at her first run back since her eye catching third to Politeness in the Group 1 $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington during the Spring Carnival. Wawail was Group 3 placed twice during the Spring Carnival and also has a good first up record with three wins from four attempts. Darren Weir has two strong chances with last start Christmas Stakes winner Tuscan Sling and the promising Felicienne who was a winner three from her last four starts in restricted class over the Summer months.