The first Group 1 feature race of 2024 headlines a huge program at Caulfield this weekend.
The 2024 C.F. Orr Stakes will feature only nine horses, but with all having tasted success in strong feature company previously, it really does loom as a terrific contest.
Check out my full days preview and C.F. Orr Stakes Day Tips below.
Race 1 - 12:15pm AEDT
Premier Signs Handicap (2000m)
Bermadez is hard fit and strikes another winnable race at Caulfield on Saturday.
The classy gelding is yet to run a bad race this time in, and finished second at each of his first three starts back before recording a nice victory over a mile at Flemington last time.
He’s hard fit and will relish getting out to the 2000m this week.
1 Unit Bermadez
Race 2 - 12:45pm AEDT
Herald Sun Handicap (2400m)
Oceanic Flash has improved for three starts since resuming and is ready to strike at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Sacred Falls gelding was well beaten over a mile at The Valley two back, but he enjoyed a step rise in trip to 2520m at Flemington last time out, only just missing.
He looks to be in peak order this week and might not be offered a better opportunity in Saturday metro company.
2 Units Oceanic Flash
Race 3 - 1:20pm AEDT
MRC Clip Clop Club Handicap (1600m)
Another Wil is ready for his return to Saturday metro company.
The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper was excellent in three starts during his debut prep, winning by five lengths out at Moe most notably, but he turned in what was easily a career-best performance to date at Sandown last month.
On that day, he raced prominently and never looked like missing, hitting the line nearly four lengths ahead of his rivals.
This is a lot harder, but he looks more than up to it.
3 Units Another Wil
Race 4 - 1:55pm AEDT
Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m)
A great race made more intriguing by the acceptance of leading Perth-trained three-year-old, Zipaway!
Zipaway returned to action during the early Perth summer for consecutive wins in featured company, and while he didn’t enjoy the best of luck in the Listed Fairetha Stakes, he was very too good for them in the Group 2 WA Guineas.
Having gone for a short break after filling the minors in the Northerly Stakes, this is a big drop in class, and he’s had the benefit of a trial leading up to his return in the Autumn Stakes.
1 Unit Zipaway
Race 5 - 2:30pm AEDT
Group 3 T.S. Carlyon Cup (1600m)
The traditional path towards the Australian Cup kicks off at Caulfield on Saturday with an interesting edition of the Carlyon Cup.
Just seven horses have accepted into the Carlyon Cup field, including Young Werther, who I have put on top.
Young Werther returned to strong and competitive form last time in, recording consecutive race wins in Saturday metro company before adding yet another Group 1 placing to his CV in the Champions Stakes.
He’s had a trial leading up to Saturday’s return and I love that his campaign is being launched over a mile. The booking of Damian and an ideal barrier only enhance his winning chances.
2 Units Young Werther
Race 6 - 3:05pm AEDT
Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude C&G (1100m)
High Octane was impressive on debut and can keep alive his unbeaten record in this Blue Diamond Prelude.
The Deep Field colt showed some ability at the trials prior to debuting, and he put the writing on the wall with an eye-catching performance in the Colts & Geldings Preview a couple of weeks ago.
With improvement for that experience, I’m confident he can stamp himself as the one to beat in the Group 1 feature in a fortnight.
4 Units High Octane
Race 7 - 3:40pm AEDT
Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude F (1100m)
Bold Bastille makes her eagerly awaited return in the Fillies Prelude and can also keep alive her unbeaten record.
The Brazen Beau filly attracted some interest in betting ahead of the Inglis Banner at The Valley on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day and stamped herself as one to watch with a thrashing three-length victory.
She clearly goes well fresh, and she looks to be a star on the rise.
3 Units Bold Bastille
Race 8 - 4:15pm AEDT
Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m)
Always a quality race with one eye on the Oakleigh Plate in a couple of weeks, and I simply cannot look past Asfoora in this Rubiton Stakes field, who will surely take a power of beating.
Asfoora has barely run a bad race since making her debut back in late 2021, winning eight of fifteen starts including multiple black type features, placing a further three times and finding form around some of Australasia’s best sprinters.
She was two from four during her recent spring prep, running an eye-catching second behind Imperatriz in the Moir Stakes, but it’s her fresh record that puts her in particularly good stead this weekend. She is my best bet on the program.
5 Units Asfoora
Race 9 - 4:55pm AEDT
Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m)
Just nine horses have accepted into the first Group 1 feature of the 2024 Autumn Carnival, but what the field lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in quality.
I’ve put Mr Brightside on top, but for a comprehensive rundown of all nine horses and my complete tips, click through to our 2024 C.F. Orr Stakes Preview.
4 Units Mr Brightside
1 Unit E/W Veight
Race 10 - 5:35pm AEDT
Group 3 Senet Peter Le Grand Stakes (1100m)
I’m keen to have something on the resuming Blanc De Blanc in the last on C.F. Orr Stakes Day.
Blanc De Blanc hasn’t been seen the races since March, but she was a model of consistency during her two-year-old season, placing in four-consecutive feature races before ending her prep a credible sixth in the Golden Slipper.
Two recent trials up in Sydney have been full of merit, and this looks a lovely campaign launchpad for her.
2 Units Blanc De Blanc