C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield Heralds Return of Group 1 Racing
The first Group 1 Thoroughbred race of 2020 jumps Saturday at Caulfield. It is officially this year going as the Neds C F Orr Stakes (1400 m).
As a weight-for-age race, it features some of the experienced gallopers returning from spells, but punters at least have some past form to guide selections.
The race debuted in 1925 and has shifted running conditions and venues quite a few times, but what has not changed is that the race has featured wins by more than one Australian Racing Hall of Fame horse.
We will mention just three, those being Manikato (3x – 1979/81), Vo Rogue (3x – 1988/90) and Black Caviar (2012).
The C F Orr Stakes draws a solid field and this year is no exception.
The early All-In markets indicate that from a field of 12, the range of quotes is tight. Discard Mirage Dancer ($71) if you will, but the quotes from the favourite, Scales of Justice ($2.80) to So Si Bon ($31), reveal a race that could be won by any who take the field.
Six of the Thoroughbreds for this year’s Group 1 C F Orr Stakes are in single digits, well five, but the current $10 quote on three-time Group 1 Avilius gives some indication of the strength of the field.
Every horse in the race, save one, will carry 59 kg.
A 3.5 kg weight advantage goes to Alabama Express ($8), indicating that trainer Michael Moroney’s three-year-old colt by Redoute’s Choice has the earmarks of a rising star.
The second line of the betting is held by Hey Doc ($5.50).
Kings Will Dream ($21), winner of the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes, is well drawn, one-out from the rail and could attract some punter money nearer the jump, poor results in the W S Cox Plate notwithstanding.
The track is rated Good 4. There is some rain in the forecast and the predicted temperature seems ideal.