The first Group 1 of the calendar year will take place at Caulfield this Saturday afternoon with the running of the C.F. Orr Stakes.
Every race but one are black type races and our full 2021 C.F. Orr Stakes Preview can be read below.
Race 1 - 12:40pm
Benchmark 84 Handicap (1400m)
Eugene’s Forest put together three wins on the trot at Sandown, Geelong and Ballarat last prep and although she has not been in the money at her two runs so far this prep, she has been far from disgraced.
She battled home really well late at Caulfield last start after doing a lot of work in front and he will appreciate the step back to 1400m.
1 Unit E/W Eugene’s Forest
Race 2 - 1:15pm
Blue Diamond Prelude (F) (1100m)
Bird Of Dubai started her career with fourth in the Debutant Stakes at Caulfield last October when coming from last to get within 2.2 lengths of Fake Love.
The daughter of Pride Of Dubai was cruising in behind the leaders when heading round the turn at The Valley first up this prep but was held up at a crucial stage but finished strongly to just miss.
She is a talented filly with plenty of upside and she is over the odds at $10.
1 Unit E/W Bird Of Dubai
Race 3 - 1:50pm
Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) (1100m)
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Construct was a $650K purchase at the 2020 Magic Millions sales on the Gold Coast.
The colt by I Am Invincible did not have everything go to plan on debut back in October but when he found clear running, he was excellent right through the line.
The horse that won that race was Shaquero who of course went on to win the Magic Millions Classic in January.
The $9.50 that is on offer at time of publish is incredible value and is one of the better each way bets I have had in a while.
2 Units E/W Construct
Race 4 - 2:25pm
Group 2 Autumn Stakes Stakes (1400m)
Jet Propulsion is a talented young colt by Rubick who is proven at Group level.
The 1400m at Caulfield suits him down to a tee whereas a few of these at the top of the weights are looking for further.
He was given a good workout in his most recent trial at Geelong leading into this first up assignment and will get a nice run in transit from barrier five.
2 Units Jet Propulsion
Race 5 - 3:00pm
Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m)
Aidensfield finished runner up in back to back Group races in her last campaign before finishing down the track in 1000 Guineas behind Odeum.
She looks a genuine sprinter to my eye and if she can overcome the tricky draw in this race, she will featuring in the finish.
1/2 Unit E/W Aidensfield
Race 6 - 3:35pm
Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m)
The lightly raced four year old gelding Nonconformist has put together an excellent resume in his short 10 race career.
The son of Rebel Raider has three wins and been unplaced just twice in that time.
His trial leading into this assignment behind Sir Dragonet was excellent and he looks ready to perform fresh.
2 Units Nonconformist
Race 7 - 4:15pm
Group 3 Bellmaine Stakes (1200m)
Probabeel is one of the most talented and versatile mares in the country and this looks a perfect way for her to start her autumn campaign.
She was narrowly defeated first up in the Show County Quality at Randwick last prep, and finished by getting within 4.5 lengths of Sir Dragonet in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
She has won twice over 1200m and despite being asked to carry 60kg in this race, she is the one to beat.
2 Units Probabeel
Race 8 - 4:55pm
Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m)
This is not the best C.F. Orr Stakes field I have ever seen and this is represented by the fact that an unproven Group 1 three year old has opened the $4.20 second favourite.
Sir Dragonet proved just how good he is when winning the Ladbrokes Cox Plate first up last spring and although he has never raced under 2000m, his class will carry him a long way in a race that lacks a lot of depth.
You will not see an easier trial win than his leading into this first up assignment and he is clearly the horse to beat in the first Group 1 of 2021.
6 Units Sir Dragonet
Race 9 - 5:35pm
Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m)
It has been a while in between wins for Prophet’s Thumb.
She last saluted back in September of 2019 in a benchmark 90 at this track and distance.
The daughter of I Am Invincible is a talented sprinter despite the lack of wins in recent times is always competitive.
She has been within two lengths of the winner in her last three in a row and she represents good value in the final race of the day.
1 Unit Win & 2 Units Place Prophet’s Thumb