2023 C.F. Orr Stakes Race Overview, Tips and Best Bets

CF Orr Stakes Overview and Tips

First run in 1925 the C.F. Orr Stakes has been run at some of Melbourne’s premier racecourses with its most recent editions of the race being run at Caulfield Racecourse. This year however the CF Orr Stakes will return to one of it’s previous homes when it is run at Sandown Racecourse. 

The CF Orr Stakes in 2023 is a 1400m contest which is suitable for both sprinters and middle distance runners. It is run under weight for age conditions with prize money of $750,000 available.

As the first Group One of the Autumn the CF Orr also forms part of a three part Sprint series which includes the Lighting Stakes and the Newmarket Handicap. These three races are run two weeks apart over 1000m, 1200m and 1400m giving trainers with strong racing talent the chance to contest three Group One races within the space of a few weeks.

2023 C.F. Orr Stakes Race Overview

In the 2023 CF Orr Stakes field however it is likely we will see many of these runners backing up in the Newmarket and Lightning Stakes with the majority of runners nominated for the Group One looking for further distance or using this race as a springboard into bigger Autumn targets.

At the top of the betting is heavily backed favourite Jacquinot who represents the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr Stable. Jacquinot opened at the start of the week as a $4.20 favourite but has quickly been backed into as low as $3.60 with some bookmakers. As the only three year old in the race Jacquinot does carry the bottom weight of 55.5kgs.

On the second line of betting I’m Thunderstruck sits solidly as a $4 chance in the market. Having mixed his form up in bigger races than this as well as finishing to Anamoe twice in the Spring punters will be having a good look at the 5yo to see how he returns to the track.

Of the rest of the market there are a number of runners also in single figures in the betting with Tuvalu, Mr. Brightside Nugget and Gentleman Roy all live chances in the betting. Turaath for the Maddie Raymond stable is the only runner in the race not carrying top weight with just 57kgs while Aegon is the only non Australian Runner in the field. 

One other interesting point of notice is that Western Empire for the stable of John Leek Jr and prominent owner Bob Peters is giving a debut Group One ride to jumps jockey convert Aaron Lynch who only has a handful of starts in flat racing. 

2023 C.F. Orr Top Selections

The 2023 C.F. Orr Stakes is set to be contest by a field of 10 runners without scratchings. We have selected our top 3 chances to win the Group One feature with our number one selection listed at the end. 

2023 CF Orr Selection #1 - I’m Thunderstruck

Trainer - Mick Price & Micheal Kent Jr

Price - $4.00

The son of Shocking we’re willing to give another chance too purely on the basis this looks to be a weaker field than that he would have faced during the Spring. 

I’m Thunderstruck seems to be getting into positions where he always manages to find one or two better than him on the day. However his last three defeats have come behind multiple time group one winners Anamoe and Zaaki. With Anamoe in particular having a monstrous Spring and the five year old finished within half a length both times. 

There could also be an argument that I’m Thunderstruck does his best work over a mile and that perhaps the All Star Mile will be his main target this Autumn but there is also the argument he has won at the distance before as well as having a 50% strike rate first up. 

He’s clearly the quality runner in the field and with a small field and a big track I’m Thunderstruck should have every chance. The booking of Jamie Kah to take the ride is a big positive and if he can get anywhere near his best he should be fighting out the finish. 

2023 CF Orr Selection #2 - Tuvalu

Trainer - Lindsey Smith 

Price - $6.00

We see the 2022 Toorak winner returning from a spell here and the distance of the 1400m C.F. Orr Stakes is right in the son of Kermadec’s wheelhouse. 

During the Spring Tuvalu was mixing it in some big races when finishing second behind Callsign Mav in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. He then went on to claim the Group One Toorak Handicap before ending his campaign second in the Group One Kennedy Champions Mile behind Alligator Blood.

Seems to have found a rhythm to his racing and trainer Lindsey Smith believes they’ve found a way to snap the 5yo out of his casual racing style. Tuvalu is set to wear blinkers for the first time on Saturday which, after winning his most recent trial by 4 lengths under a hold could do the trick for the Group One winner. 

His first up stats read well with three wins and two placings from 5 starts first up. He is also 2 from 2 at the Sandown track as well as a three time winner at the distance.

Everything points towards Tuvalu being right in this and if the gear change makes the difference the stable believe it can he could be looking forward to a few more Group One titles. 

2023 CF Orr Selection #3 - Western Empire

Trainer - John Leek Jr

Price - $51.00

At the price Western Empire is an interesting runner for Western Australian owner Bob Peters having sent one of his stable stars to Melbourne to build on his career he has failed to fire in a number of starts whilst in Victoria. 

When he was running in WA Western Empire couldn’t fail when winning the Group One Railway Stakes before finishing half a length behind stablemate Regal Power. However since a move to Melbourne and change of trainer to Danny O’Brien Western Empire has failed to fire in any of his next four starts.

Since then Western Empire has been moved to the care of John Leek Jr along with a number of other Bob Peters runners. Leek Jr believes the WA import will benefit from a front running style and when he put those tactics into play at a recent trial there were impressive results as he led the whole trip at Pakenham winning by 5 lengths.

From barrier 5 he has every chance to get in front early and if he can recover his old form as well as benefit from the new style he could be one to watch out for on the exotics. 

2023 CF Best Bet - Tuvalu

We’ve steered clear of the favourite here despite the weight drop and recent form with the thought process he could struggle over the distance and decided to go with Tuvalu who seems to have everything map in his favour. 

Tuvalu is a winner at the distance, first up and had an impressive Spring in similar fields to this. The addition of blinkers seems to be another plus and will be hard to hold out here. 

Back Tuvalu to win at $6