The C.F Orr Stakes Day at Caulfield this Saturday, February 13th is going to be a big day and once again @Tim_Tips is here to offer up his racing tips with picks in each of the races on the nine-card schedule along with a detailed look at the Group 1 feature race!
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Racing Tips - C.F Orr Stakes Day Preview
Race 1 - thebigscreencompany.com.au Handicap 1800m
TASHBEEH is flying and looks tough to run down again with the good draw. Back to 1800m will suit him and the 2kg claim means he's still well weighted. DOUMARAN for Team Williams is having his third Australian preparation and looks an interesting each way prospect first up. He's definitely one to include. ABASSO for Chris Waller improved 2nd up and I expect him to improve sharply once again. He's got form behind the likes of The United States which is clearly good enough to win this race and I think he's a decent bet at his current odds. PIN YOUR HOPES and FAST AND FREE others to include.
Race 2 - Kevin Hayes Stakes 1200m
MOSSIN' AROUND has finished in the top 2 in all three of her career starts so far and she finished behind a smart horse in Hellbent last start. She draws perfectly and has had 28 days between runs so expecting her to be hard to beat. RISQUE comes over as a Group 1 winner in New Zealand and has her first start in Australia here. Her Group 1 win was over 1600m though and the Kiwi's generally improve after one or two runs in Australia. However, she is David Hayes' best bet of the weekend so she should be ready to fire. CANA wasn't suited by the wet ground in Sydney last start so back on firm ground she can put in a much better performance, while CALAVERITE has been racing in much harder races than this and can improve back in fillies grade.
Tip: MOSSIN' AROUND
Race 3 - Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude (F) 1100m
ZAMZAM was ultra impressive on debut, storming home at the Valley to win in really good style. I reckon she's gone a bit under the radar and she should get a great run from barrier 6. Still as much as 20/1 for the Blue Diamond but expect those odds to be slashed after today. Godolphin horse CALLIOPE was another that was really impressive on debut in Sydney after a highly impressive trial. Was immediately sent for a spell and returns here so she is clearly the stable's best shot at the Diamond. Adelaide filly SAMARA DANCER is one I have got a big interest in after her dominant win on debut at Morphettville. She's since won a trial by 5 lengths and gets the blinkers on for the first time. SWORD OF LIGHT is two from two and has done nothing wrong, while Concealer for Tony McEvoy is one to include.
Tip: ZAMZAM E/W
Race 4 - Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) 1100m
Very difficult race to bet in to. WEATHERLY bombed the start on debut but really caught the eye getting home. If he jumps cleanly he could prove too good. DEFCON is right up there in the market for the Blue Diamond and the pace of the race looks to suit him. The same can be said for FLYING ARTIE who will have to come from the back of the field with the wide barrier. He was good on debut and was good again in a trial leading into this, while EL VENETIAN is another for Peter Moody in with a chance. Wide open race with plenty of winning chances.
Tip: FLYING ARTIE
Race 5 - Schweppes Rubiton Stakes 1100m
ECLAIR CHOICE was flying before heading for a spell, winning two Group 2 races in the Melbourne Spring carnival. He's won a trial leading into this very nicely and if he comes back in the form he left off then he'll give this a big shake despite the big weight. POLITENESS became a Group 1 winner last prep and there's every chance she could win first up here but I fear she may be better over a bit more ground than the 1100m here. HEATHERLY is one of two fillies in the race and she's flying. Gets in with just 51kg and could be hard to run down from the front, while LAKE GENEVA is the other filly with 51kg and is an interesting runner first up. Don't discount The Monstar with Oliver on board.
Tip: ECLAIRE CHOICE
Race 6 - Hyland Race Colours Autumn Stakes 1400m
Looks to be a race in two for me between MAHUTA and HOLLER. Mahuta has won 5 straight including a good win on the Gold Coast last start with the big weight, but I think HOLLER has taken his game to the next level this preparation, which started off with a big win in the Group 2 Australia Stakes. SNOOPY and SAILING BY could be worth including.
Tip: HOLLER
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Race 7 - Ladbrokes C.F. Orr Stakes 1400m (Group 1)
Outstanding edition of the C.F. Orr Stakes, which has seen the favourite win the past 5 editions. Lucky Hussler comes up a narrow favourite here ahead of Turn Me Loose, but the depth of this race is far greater than previous editions so this could be the year to break the trend.
FAWKNER: Tends to race well fresh and last prep he won the Group 1 Makybe Diva first up from a long spell. Loves the track and despite getting on in age he always seems to keep performing at the highest level. Not the best barrier but you can't discount him being thereabouts.
HAPPY TRAILS: Generally takes a few runs to get going and is best suited over 2000m so wouldn't think he's a winning chance in this.
BOBAN: Has won first up on his last two occasions, both at Group 1 level over 1400m. Not the best draw but he will get back in the field anyway. Interesting to see how he gets on with jockey Douglas Whyte.
LUCKY HUSSLER: Good win under a big weight up on the Gold Coast. Didn't beat much and faces a much greater task here but does go well at this track. Not sure he deserves to start favourite but he's in form and has fitness on his side.
REBEL DANE: Went down first up in the Australia Stakes but he's much better suited 2nd up over 1400m. Gets all the favours from barrier 4 and poses as an each way hope.
MOURINHO: Blew the start first up which cost him. Has won a Group 2 over 1400m at Caulfield before but he's better suited around 1600m - 2000m, especially against this quality of field. Could go well at odds though.
TURN ME LOOSE: Comes into this vying for favouritism after his terrific form at the back end of last campaign which saw him win the Emirates. Steps up to WFA Group 1 company and maybe better suited at 1600m, but he will lead them up and be very hard to catch.
HUCKLEBUCK: Returned from a long spell first up when he put in a very solid run in the Australia Stakes. He was always going to need that run so much better suited here but the barrier hurts him big time. Very capable of winning this if the breaks come.
TRUST IN A GUST: Another one that resumed from a long spell first up in the Australia Stakes. Ran home reasonably well and has a terrific record here, but the barrier hurts and he will be better off for the run again.
STRATUM STAR: Generally better after his first run back from a spell but he is ultra consistent and does have a Group 1 win to his name. However, this field is stronger than what he won the Sir Rupert Clarke against and he'll need luck going forward from barrier 14.
MESSENE: Showed glimpses of his old form at stages last prep but he'd have to significantly improve to challenge this field. Does get all the favours from the good draw.
ENTIRELY PLATINUM: Ran 2nd by a nostril first up last prep to Boban in the Memsie over this same course and distance. He'll roll forward from barrier 9 and may need some luck but if he produces the same performance as last prep he could go close.
BOW CREEK: Godolphin import that caught the eye massively on his Australian debut behind Turn Me Loose. That was the first placing from 6 attempts first up. He gets a good draw here so will get a nice run in midfield and if he is wound up he may be good enough to win this. Huge watch on him.
RED BOMBER: Decent horse on his day and maps to get a good run from barrier 6 but he won't be good enough for these.
AWESOME ROCK: Decent record at the track and distance but nowhere near WFA Group 1 level.
RISING ROMANCE: Looks massively over the odds for a horse of her ability. Had genuine excuses for her poor performances last prep but showed she can measure up at WFA Group 1 level when she's right. Might need slightly longer but she will go well.
SUAVITO: Really looking forward to seeing her return. Group 1 winner over this course and distance and has a great fresh record. Been off a long time so she may need the run but at her best she is in with a chance here.
FENWAY: Group 1 winner over 2000m but might be wanting a bit further and should improve off today's run. Ominous booking of Damien Oliver though and barrier 3 means she will get a great run.
Verdict: Going to take a punt on a horse that I think has a big future in Australia, BOW CREEK. He nearly ran down Turn Me Loose on his Australian debut before a disappointing run on a Soft track which he didn't handle. If he's tuned up for this he may just prove to be the real deal and from barrier 2 he should get every chance. 10/1 looks a decent price. TURN ME LOOSE proved he's a genuine WFA Group 1 horse and he will take some catching. SUAVITO returns from a long break but she has the ability to match it with this field. Her stats both 1st up and at this course and distance are outstanding. BOBAN has won two Group 1's at his last two starts when he is first up. Interesting to see if Douglas Whyte can get the best out of him but don't rule him out. Others to consider are FAWKNER, LUCKY HUSSLER and HUCKLEBUCK in a wide open race.
1st - BOW CREEK
2nd - TURN ME LOOSE
3rd - SUAVITO
4th - BOBAN
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Race 8 - The Cup Club T.S. Carlyon Cup 1600m
BURNING FRONT continues to race in great form and should do so again here with race fitness on his side. Won't get an easy lead today, especially from barrier 10, but he should go well again. SADAQA is also racing well and only went down by just over half a length last start despite finishing 5th. If he can get a spot just off the pace he could give this a shake at big odds. MANNDAWI is not one to overlook - he's having his first start for Darren Weir which we've seen produce plenty of winners in the past. AMORINO would win this at his best but his 2nd up stats are 7 starts for 0 placings, while EXTRA ZERO at his best would also be a great winning chance. Tough race!
Tip: SADAQA E/W & MANNDAWI E/W
Race 9 - mypunter.com Bellmaine Stakes 1200m
Another one that looks to be between two horses in WAWAIL and AZKADELLIA. Wawail always runs well, particularly fresh, and draws to get the run of the race here. Expecting her to sprint well and be tough to run down despite top weight. Azkadellia was unlucky not to bow out a Group 1 winner last prep when she looked to take her game to the next level. Undefeated first up from a break and Oliver takes the ride. Others at longer odds to include could be JESSE BELLE and CHOOSE.
Tip: WAWAIL
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
