CF Orr Stakes Tips - Runner-by-Runner Guide for the Caulfield Group 1

Joshua Bell

Editor

Last updated: 08 Feb 2024

Joshua Bell 08 Feb 2024

Share this article

Runner-by-Runner Guide to the CF Orr Stakes
Who will take out the Caulfield Group 1?
Mr Brightside tops our selections

Expired

Mr Brightside (Getty Images)

The CF Orr Stakes is a Group 1 race run over 1400m at Caulfield racecourse under weight-for-age conditions.

First run in 1925, the race has been won by some champion horses including Rising Fast (1956), Saintly (1997) and Black Caviar (2012).

We have gone through every runner in this year’s event and offered out thoughts and betting plays below with odds from Diamondbet.

No. 1 Mr Brightside (4)

The six-year-old gelding had a long and successful spring campaign which started with three wins in a row to kick start the prep, two of which were at Group 1 level.

He was runner up in his last three runs, including a narrow defeat in the Group 1 Cox Plate at The Valley.

There is no more consistent horse in the country at the top level and considering he has three wins from three starts over 1400m here at Caulfield he is clearly the horse to beat.

No. 2 Pericles (5)

Put together back to back wins to start his spring campaign, something he has struggled to do during his career.

Finished third in the Silver Eagle when he had excuses and then was beaten a very short margin in the Golden Eagle over 1500m at Rosehill.

He has a huge amount of upside and a recent trial win suggests he’s in for a big prep.

No. 3 Munhamek (9)

Gave champion jockey Damien Oliver the dream send off when storming home to win at Ascot in December which won’t quickly be forgotten.

Has 10 wins and over $2 million in prize money but there are doubts over him at this level despite it being quite a weak Group 1 race.

Things need to pan out for him in the run considering his racing pattern but he does have a sharp turn of foot and residual fitness on his side.

No. 4 Bustler (6)

The West Australian earns a trip to the east coast after a successful Summer campaign which included a win in the Group 1 Railway Stakes at Ascot.

Made up considerable ground late behind Munhamek last start and he has won three times at this distance.

No. 5 Buffalo River (1)

On pace horse who, when the race pans out for him, can be incredibly tough to run down.

He’s had eight attempts at Group 1 level for just one minor placing, suggesting he’s not up to this.

No. 6 Ayrton (8)

The Price stable have decided to give this Group 1 a crack and why not with a horse that absolutely thrives at Caulfield.

He’s won six times from seven starts at this track and is very versatile in his racing pattern.

Again, I’m not sure he’s up to this level of racing but it is a weak edition.

No. 7 Atishu (7)

The daughter of Savabeel closed out her spring campaign in good fashion firstly finishing second in the Empire Rose against the girls and then winning the McKinnon against the boys.

She has placed in 21 of her 37 career race starts, 14 of which have been black type and her first up record is pretty good.

Looks over the odds.

No. 8 Pride Of Jenni (3)

She shocked everyone at the end of the spring not once but twice!

Declan Bates strung the field out in the Group 1 Empire Rose at Flemington and they never caught her despite having the wide open expanse at headquarters.

In always a mirror image, she did the same thing in the Group 1 Cantala a week later in two incredible performances.

She usually takes a few runs to get into her prep but take her on at your own peril especially with Bates back in the saddle.