C.F. Orr Stakes - Caulfield Race 8 - Saturday 5:50pm
Group 1 racing returns to Caulfield this Saturday for the running of the C.F. Orr Stakes over 1,400 metres under weight-for-age conditions.
The entire card this Saturday is a beauty and as long as the rain stays away, then we’re in for a hot day of racing.
It’s hard to go past the favourite Dissident ($3.20 at Sportsbet) to take this one out. Resuming as a $1.85 favourite in the Australia Stakes, Dissident could only manage third, but ridden three-wide over an unsuitable distance and carrying 58kgs, it wasn’t as bad as it sounds.
Dissident has a good second-up record with a Group 2 win in the Hobartville Stakes and a Group 1 win in the Makybe Diva Stakes over some handy oppoisition, and is a Group 1 winner at track and distance in the Memsie Stakes.
Mourinho ($19 at bet365) beat Dissident in the Australia Stakes and will again go around at juicy odds. Has won three of the last six, but best form is at Moonee Valley with a poor record at this track and distance
Entirely Platinum ($13.50 at Betfair) looms as a threat with an exceptional record of four wins from five starts over this distance and is likely to lead this up without a lot of speed up front which could give him some control over the race.
Java ($8.00 at Ladbrokes) is a progressive horse with four wins on the trot. May loom as a threat but may have to work across early from a wide barrier and WFA conditions aren’t ideal.
Real Love ($21 at Sportsbet) is the Valentine’s Day omen bet but dropping way back in distance, while Happy Trails ($14 at Ladbrokes) resumes and will usually jag a victory at good odds if you’re prepared to follow through a campaign, but doesn’t appeal first up. Happy to take both of these on.
Verdict: Too hard to look past Dissident. Probably starts even shorter, but the current price is attractive.
1st Dissident
2nd Entirely Platinum
3rd Java
4th Mourinho
It's a great day of racing, so keep an eye on the Before You Bet Twitter feed for more tips throughout the day!
