CF Orr Stakes Tips - CF Orr Stakes tilt for Angel Capital is timed to perfection

Jimmysstar ($1.95) leads the betting after a devastating win in the Russell Balding Stakes, with Angel Capital ($3.20) and Evaporate ($5.00) on the next lines. 

Those three dominate the market and have the figures to match — each boasting elite last-start benchmark ratings and form in Australia’s biggest features. 

Of the others, Vinrock ($15), Bosustow ($21), Pinstriped ($27), and Mighty Ulysses ($81) will be hoping for a minor upset in what appears a top-heavy Group 1.

Jimmysstar was electric last start at Randwick, bursting through a gap to score by 2.5 lengths in the Balding Stakes, going 12 lengths faster than standard to record the best figure in the field. That followed a brave 3rd in The Everest when caught wide throughout, reaffirming his reputation as one of the best turn-of-foot horses in the country.

Angel Capital also ran in The Everest, finishing 6th — just over half a length behind Jimmysstar — despite never really seeing daylight. Trainer Chris Waller has bypassed the Golden Eagle to target this Group 1 instead. 

The four-year-old colt is now racing as an entire for Yulong and returns to Caulfield, where he boasts two wins from four starts, including the Group 2 Autumn Stakes earlier this year.

Evaporate rounds out the big three. The Hayes-trained gelding has had a phenomenal spring, narrowly missing in the Toorak Handicap (+15L benchmark) and then flying late for 3rd in the $10M Golden Eagle. 

Ben Hayes has expressed confidence in the gelding, noting that the smaller field and wide spaces of Caulfield suit him perfectly. The stable has timed this prep to the minute, and the drop back to 1400m looks ideal for a fresh turn of foot.

Outside the top three, Pinstriped has the talent to feature. His last-start flop at Moonee Valley came on a leader-biased track, but prior to that he was luckless in the Rupert Clarke and Toorak, finishing 5th and 7th respectively in strong company. He handles Soft going and could benefit if the track retains moisture. Vinrock, Bosustow and Mighty Ulysses are all capable at their best but will need a career peak to match strides with the proven Group 1 performers.

There’s no obvious tearaway leader, but I would suggest that Vinrock will cross to take up the running from barrier 7 with Evaporate and Mighty Ulysses to settle handy. Bosustow and Pinstriped are others that can trail in behind the leader. Angel Capital draws outside Jimmysstar in barrier 5 and maps ideally in the second half of the field one-off the fence, with Ben Melham expected to give him a stalking run and launch late — much like his wins at Caulfield earlier this year. Jimmystar is in barrier 3 and Ethan Brown might ride him similar to the Russell Balding when taking the split. With no clear speed influence, it may be a tactical affair early before building from the 600m. That potentially plays into the hands of horses with a sharp 400m sprint — exactly the weaponry Jimmysstar and Angel Capital bring.

Angel Capital is peaking at the right time and strikes the perfect conditions to finally break through at Group 1 level. He’s trialled quietly since The Everest, has a strong record at Caulfield, and relishes firmer footing. The four-year-old colt possesses a lethal finishing burst — running the fastest final 400m in The Everest — and now returns to his favoured trip of 1400m. With Ben Melham back aboard and a perfect draw, everything looks in place. Chris Waller has targeted this specifically, bypassing the riches of the Golden Eagle to enhance his stallion value. Expect a confident ride and a sharp turn of foot when it matters.

Pinstriped ($27) is the smoky in the field who can run a big race at odds. A proven Group 1 performer on his day, he’s had genuine excuses in his recent outings — caught wide in the Toorak and held up in the Rupert Clarke. Back to 1400m suits, he’s drawn to do no work early, and if the track retains a Soft  rating, he’s a genuine blowout hope. His best runs have come in races with a sit-sprint shape — exactly the pattern this small field could produce. Include him in exotics and late quaddies.