• Home
  • Feature Races
  • C F Orr Stakes

C F Orr Stakes Tips - Familiar name to fire over the 1400m at Caulfield in the Group 1 C F Orr Stakes

adam-cusworth
Editor
Last updated: 05 Feb 2025
Adam Cusworth 05 Feb 2025
Share this article
Or copy link
  • CF Orr Stakes features 10 contenders with Mr Brightside as favorite.
  • Mr Brightside excels at the track and trip; strategies detailed in speed map.
  • Best Bet: Mr Brightside; Best Value: Private Life & Southport Tycoon.
Expired
cf orr stakes
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 10: Craig Williams riding Mr Brightside (L) defeats Declan Bates riding Pride of Jenni in Race 9, the Sportsbet C.f. Orr Stakes during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on February 10, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)
The C F Orr Stakes will be held on Saturday February 8 and sees some big names in action in the first Group 1 of the calendar year.
  • 2025 C F Orr Stakes Preview
  • 2025 C F Orr Stakes Speed Map
  • 2025 C F Orr Stakes Best Bet
  • 2025 C F Orr Stakes Best Value

Here is our preview of the action

2025 C F Orr Stakes Preview


A field of 10 line up for Group 1 glory in the CF C F Orr Stakes and it is the old-timer, Mr Brightside, that is favourite in betting markets ahead of Another Wil. The last start Australia Stakes (1200m) winner, Schwarz, is in single figures alongside Private Life. 

Mr Brightside is one of four in the race that will be resuming and has won three of eight when first-up, missing out behind Pinstriped as the exacta horse in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) in the spring, before going on to win two Group 1 races over the Flemington 1600m. 

The Team Hayes galloper defeated Pride Of Jenni when first up in this race last year in one of the memorable battles between that two, while he also won first up over the 1400m at Caulfield in the spring of 2023. The seven-year-old is five from six at the track and trip. 

Another Will resumes after going down as the exacta horse behind Kimochi in the Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) last November. He was a first up winner at the track and trip last spring, going 5.7 lengths faster than standard, which is inferior to what Brightside produced when fresh (13 lengths faster). The Ciaron Maher-trained five-year-old might have some upside, however, and went 14.6 lengths faster than standard in the Rupert Clarke. 

The Caulfield Guineas (1600m) winner, Private Life, represents a bit of X-factor as the sole three-year-old and was luckless in the Champions Sprint (1200m) against the older horses following his Guineas triumph. Freedom Rally is the other horse to resume. 

Three runners come out of the Australia Stakes (1200m), including Schwarz, who went 7.8 lengths faster than standard, while Steparty was runner-up and Southport Tycoon 5th. That trio have the benefit of fitness on their side and form ties into the likes of Another Will with Southport Tycoon placing 4th in the Rupert Clarke last spring. 

Super Smink and Semana are rough chances in the race and will probably need to produce a personal best to trouble some of those up the market. 

2025 C F Orr Stakes Speed Map


There does seem to be a lack of a natural leader, however, Schwarz and Private Life are a couple that have gone forward in recent runs, leading to success. Mr Brightside is likely to be handy and might be suited by a soft tempo, while Another Will is another that can stalk them. Steparty and Pinstriped might end up midfield, while Southport Tycoon is one that generally gets back. 

2025 C F Orr Stakes Stakes Tips

2025 C F Orr Stakes Best Bet


Mr Brightside will be very hard to beat and with Craig Williams in the saddle, the seven-year-old is adaptable enough to handle what is thrown at him from barrier 8. He has taken out a trial in preparation for this and while he is slightly older, I am very happy with his recent first up form, while his track and trip record speaks for itself. 

2025 C F Orr Stakes Best Value


Monitor betting for Private Life, who could be anything. If there isn’t huge amounts of support, one that can show up is Southport Tycoon. He can be a bit hit and miss but is excellent on his day and there is no doubt that he will improve on what he served up in the Australia Stakes when slowly out of the gates. He closed off with the second fastest last 200m and will enjoy the step up in trip. If there is enough early pace in the race, he is one that can surprise at the each-way quote. 

Verdict

C F Orr Stakes Tips
Best Bet1: Best Bet Mr Brightside @6/4 at dabble - 6 Units
Best Bet2: Best Value Southport Tycoon @13/1 at Elitebet - 1 Unit
Best Bet
Mr Brightside
@6/4 - 6 Units
Download the dabble app
with referral code BETSAU

Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at dabble
Best Value
Southport Tycoon
@13/1 - 1 Unit
Lightning fast betting
Join with code BETSAU

18+. T&Cs apply

Bet at Elitebet

Top Betting Sites

special-offer-1Betting offers