Historical Analysis of the CF Orr Stakes

CF ORR STAKES - G1 1400m

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 won 5 times in 6 years recently.

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 38 years but 4 of the last 9.

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, Saintly and All Too Hard were joined by Hartnell as the only non-Victorians to salute in last 20 years.

o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner - 5yo (4 times)

o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $4.30 (but only three above $4)

o Breakdown of winners - 4 geldings, 1 entire, 1 colt & 4 mares

o Races that the winner ran in prior - Australia Stks (5), Spell (5)

RECENT WINNERS

2018 - HARTNELL 7g (Authorized x Debonnaire) ($6)

Jockey: Craig Williams, Trainer: James Cummings

Barrier: 11, Weight: 59.0kg, Gross Time: 1:24.79

Margin: 0.1L, Track: Good (3), Starters: 13

2nd: Single Gaze (57.0kg), 3rd: Brave Smash (59.0kg)

Review: This was a mixed up race right from the jump. After Lord Of The Sky missed the kick, the obvious leader was out of play and so jockeys were all looking around. It planted some main hopes wide without a strong tempo and they got over-racing.

As the field bunched turning, anything could win and Hartnell, who was three wide with some cover, was in a good spot but he was under pressure. In the straight they lined up as Single Gaze went for the inside, Brave Smash was wide and the likes of Mighty Boss and Abbey Marie were very unlucky.

However it was the Godolphin gelding who got back into G1 form after a strange prep in the Spring. He probably enjoyed avoiding Winx too but for how much longer?

2017 - BLACK HEART BART 6g (Blackfriars x Sister Theresa) ($3.25 fav)

Jockey: Brad Rawiller, Trainer: Darren Weir

Barrier: 11, Weight: 59.0kg, Gross Time: 1:22.55

Margin: 1L, Track: Good (3), Starters: 12

2nd: Turn Me Loose (59.0kg), 3rd: Ecuador (59.0kg)

Review: ‘Bart’ was like many horses brought up on those firm Perth tracks. He was tough and still racing with heart at the highest level. Off a good run in the Australia Stakes, he wasn’t in a controlling position three wide midfield but he had cover.

Moving into the race 600m out, Rawiller had him ready to pounce and while he took a furlong to wind up, he surged home far too well for the rivals. What a tough boy.

2016 - SUAVITO 5m (Thorn Park x Queen Cha Cha) ($15)

Jockey: Luke Currie, Trainer: Nigel Blackiston

Barrier: 1, Weight: 57.0kg, Gross Time: 1:22.64

Margin: 0.8L, Track: Good (3), Starters: 18

2nd: 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.