CF Orr Stakes Racing Tips - Shadhaver to claim final Melbourne Group 1 of 2026

The betting is tight at the top, with Memsie Stakes (1400m) winner Beiwacht installed as the $3.10 favourite, while Jimmysstar, Shadhavar and Angel Capital are all prominent in the market at between $4.40 and $5. The race brings together several established Group 1 performers and some in-form gallopers looking to make their mark at the highest level.

Shadhavar faces her toughest test to date but could hardly have been more impressive in winning the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day. The Tom Dabernig-trained mare has won her past two starts and three of her five outings this preparation, taking her overall record to five wins from seven starts. 

She has produced outstanding benchmark figures in her past two victories, dictating terms in front and finding plenty when challenged. Leading throughout at Flemington is no easy feat, but she did so in convincing fashion and now gets her opportunity against the established stars.

Angel Capital is another recent Group 1 winner, having taken out the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in September before tackling The Everest (1200m) at Randwick. The Chris Waller-trained galloper was a little unlucky when finishing eighth behind Tempted in the world's richest turf race, with Jimmysstar finishing sixth in the same event. Jimmysstar has since finished seventh behind Pericles in the Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Randwick, and the defending CF Orr Stakes champion will be looking to bounce back on Saturday.

Pericles is one of three last-start winners in the field, alongside Shadhavar and War Machine. The Bjorn Baker-trained galloper returned to winning form in the Russell Balding Stakes, while War Machine gets another opportunity at Group 1 level after a confidence-boosting victory in the Harry White Stakes at Caulfield on Caulfield Cup Day. The Hayes-trained gelding has proven himself capable of mixing it with some of the country's best sprinters and will be looking to build on that performance.

Beiwacht brings some of the strongest recent Group 1 form into the race, having claimed the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield earlier in the spring. The Chris Waller-trained galloper has since finished third in both the Silver Eagle (1300m) and Golden Eagle (1500m) at Randwick, and the return to the 1400m looks ideal. He draws barrier three with James McDonald aboard and is expected to be prominent throughout.

Splash Back is the other mare in the field alongside Shadhavar, while Desert Lightning rounds out the eight runners and will be looking to produce a significant improvement on his recent performances. The benchmark figures make for interesting reading, with Shadhavar producing the best last-start performance at approximately 15 lengths faster than standard. Jimmysstar and Pericles boast the strongest career figures of the runners, both having produced performances around 17 lengths faster than standard. Jimmysstar achieved his in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m), while Pericles recorded his peak figure over the 1600m in the Champions Mile during last year's spring carnival.

The CF Orr Stakes has a rich history, with champions including Black Caviar, Typhoon Tracy, Lonhro and Saintly featuring on the honour roll. Traditionally run at Caulfield in February, the race was moved to November in 2025, when Jimmysstar claimed the inaugural late-spring edition after Another Wil had won the February running earlier that year. Saturday's renewal is Race 8 on the Sandown program, scheduled for 4:25pm, and promises to be a fascinating contest between proven Group 1 performers and some rapidly improving gallopers.

Shadhavar looks the likely leader from barrier two, with Beiwacht expected to roll forward from barrier three and settle on her outside or just behind. Both have demonstrated the ability to dictate terms, although Shadhavar has been particularly effective leading throughout in her recent victories. There does not appear to be an abundance of genuine early pressure, and the pair should be able to establish their positions without having to work too hard.

Pericles and Desert Lightning are expected to settle around midfield, while War Machine may be ridden a little quieter from barrier five. Jimmysstar, Angel Capital and Splash Back are likely to settle in the second half of the field, with all three capable of producing strong finishing bursts when the tempo suits.

The lack of obvious pressure should play into Shadhavar's hands, particularly if Kerrin McEvoy can control the race from the front. Beiwacht looks the main danger tactically, with James McDonald likely to keep the mare within striking distance throughout. Pericles has the versatility to settle close enough to the speed and make his run before the backmarkers, while Jimmysstar and Angel Capital may need the leaders to inject some genuine tempo into the race to bring their finishing efforts into play.

Shadhavar can measure up to the established Group 1 performers in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m), and the Tom Dabernig-trained mare looks extremely well placed to continue her outstanding preparation. She has won five of her seven career starts, including her past two, and has been particularly impressive in dictating terms from the front. Her victory in the Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield produced benchmark figures approximately 12 lengths faster than standard before she improved again in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, recording figures around 15 lengths faster than standard. She had something in reserve on both occasions when challenged and continues to find another gear when required. Barrier two looks ideal, and with the exception of Beiwacht, there does not appear to be a great deal of early pressure in the race. Kerrin McEvoy should be able to take control without overdoing things in the early stages, which could make her extremely difficult to run down. The only slight concern is that she is deep into her preparation, although she was runner-up at a similar stage last year behind Surfing Bird, form that has since proven strong. She is absolutely flying at present, and at around $4.20 looks the one to beat.

Pericles is an underrated galloper who looks capable of giving the favourites something to think about in the CF Orr Stakes. The seven-year-old has recently joined the Bjorn Baker stable and returned to winning form in the Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Randwick, producing a performance that may have surprised a few but was certainly not beyond his capabilities. He has been competitive at the highest level throughout his career, and his best performances have often come in Victoria, including an outstanding effort when runner-up in the Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington at a similar stage of his preparation last year. His peak career benchmark figures are among the strongest in Saturday's field, highlighting his ability to measure up when everything falls into place. Although he has drawn barrier eight, Pericles has the tactical versatility to settle around midfield, stay in touch with the leaders and adapt to the tempo of the race. That could prove important in a small field where there does not appear to be a great deal of early pressure. Craig Williams takes the ride and has enjoyed success combining with the Bjorn Baker stable in the past. Pericles should be able to keep the leading pair within his sights before producing his finishing sprint, and at around $6.75 appeals as an excellent value option.