Historical Analysis of the CF Orr Stakes
The CF Orr Stks is usually the first Melbourne WFA hit out for the top quality horses in the Autumn. While the 1400m around Caulfield can be leaderish by tradition, recent versions of the Orr have been for run-on horses.
Whether it was contested back at Sandown or at Caulfield, too many good ones have won it to be ignored, though it was a smorgasbord for 3yos some time ago.
PROFILING THE RACE
o Peter Moody has won 5 of the last 7 runnings.
o Usually the 1400 at Caulfield is dynamite for wide barriers but for some reason they haven’t caused as much heart ache in the Orr.
o Females have only won 8 of the last 36 years but 4 of the last seven.
o As is often the case with WFA events, favourites fair well.
o 3yos won six times in a row from ’98 to ’03 but it took All Too Hard to get them back on board in 2013.
o Lonhro and Saintly were joined by All Too Hard as the only non-Victorians to salute in last 20 years.
o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner - 5yo (5 times)
o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $6.50
o Breakdown of winners - 3 geldings, 2 entires, 1 colt & 4 mares
o Races that the winner ran in prior - Australia Stks (5), Spell (5)
RECENT WINNERS
2016 - SUAVITO 5m (Thorn Park x Queen Cha Cha) ($15)
Jockey: Luke Currie, Trainer: Nigel BlackistonBarrier: 1, Weight: 57.0kg, Gross Time: 1:22.64
Margin: 0.8L, Track: Good (3), Starters: 182nd: Lucky Hussler (59.0kg), 3rd: Hucklebuck (59.0kg)
Review: There had been discussions about the overall strength of this race with so many G1 winners in it. It certainly was a good betting affair. One of those not too readily mentioned was the mare Suavito after having ten months off the scene.
First up 50 weeks before, she had won the Futurity Stakes over the same course and distance and this time she drew gate one in the massive field.
Luke Currie sat her back midfield and on the turn she took a split one off. From there she accelerated and got the winning margin. Others had bad luck that happens in big fields.
Barrier: 7, Weight: 59.0kg, Gross Time: 1:23.38
Margin: 1.5L, Track: Good (3), Starters: 152nd: Entirely Platinum (59.0kg), 3rd: Mourinho (59.0kg)
Review: Peter Moody knows his horses so well and also how to set them for specific races. While others were concerned at Dissident’s first up run when beaten at short odds in the Australia Stakes, he suggested he was needing the longer race and different tempo of Caulfield.
He got both and it turned him around quickly. With a decent pace on it was difficult to come from a way back on a firming track and those near the speed held on.
The entire was in a position to strike and while taking a while to wind up, he got there with some room to spare. Moody won the race for the fifth time in six goes.
Barrier: 5, Weight: 59.0kg, Gross Time: 1:23.00
Margin: 0.1L, Track: Good (3), Starters: 62nd: Eurozone (55.5kg), 3rd: Shamus Award (55.5kg)
Review: Peter Moody had not been having a dry spell in terms of training winners but winners in the big league had been quieter since the exit for the grandest mare of all. However this had become his race winning it three times in a row in recent years.
In Moment Of Change he had a real trier who was unfortunate to run into the sprinting elite and once Black Caviar left the scene he then kept meeting Buffering. First up he was unlucky in the Australia Stks but that helped him here having the one run compared to a disappointing field of six of whom many were resuming.
Even with the Cox Plate winner running, you would hope for more. The 3yos had to chase from a long way out and they were first up. It showed as Nolen stole a march that was bridged on the line but not quickly enough. It was only his third start at the Caulfield 1400m for a 3yo win and two G1s victories.
