Tips Category: C F Orr Stakes

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2023 CF Orr Stakes Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

It may have seemed like an eternity for diehard racing fans but Group 1 racing returns to Australian tracks this Saturday with the running of the CF Orr Stakes at Sandown Hillside.

The $750k weight-for-age contest has been run and won at a number of different tracks since its inaugural running in 1925 and with renovations currently taking place at Caulfield it returns to Sandown, where it was held between 1966-1985 and 1987-1996.

Some absolute champions of the turf have saluted in the 1400m feature in recent years, none more notable than Black Caviar in 2012. Remarkably her trainer Peter Moody won the race five times between 2010 and 2016. The Mike Moroney trained Tofane was too good for her rivals last year after leading from barrier to box.

Looking ahead to this year’s market, Dabble has Golden Rose winning three-year-old Jacquinot favourite at $3.30, after a super first up win here at Sandown. His stablemate, I’m Thunderstruck, is hot on his heels at $4.20 and consistent gallopers Tuvalu, $6.00, and Gentleman Roy, $6.00, are right in the mix as well. In-form gelding Nugget heads the rest at $9.00.

With half of the field in single figures, it’s not hard to work out that this year’s CF Orr is a very open affair. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you and provided our horse racing tips! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2023 CF Orr Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips. 

1. I’m Thunderstruck (9) – $4.20
Jockey – Jamie Kah 59kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr

Class horse of the field who was fifth in this race first up last year. His recent barrier trial at Geelong was impressive and he comes off the back of a solid preparation which saw him victorious at G1 level and finish a close up second in the Cox Plate. The map looks the query as he is a noted back marker but if the speed is put on for him he will be hard to hold out.


2. Mr Brightside (10) – $10
Jockey – Craig Williams 59kg
Trainer – Ben & JD Hayes

Resumes here off the back of a solid trial where he ran similar time to I’m Thunderstruck on the morning. Won the G2 PB Lawrence first up last prep in good style over this trip. Comes up with the outside barrier here in the small field which isn’t a huge concern as he’s tactically versatile and his best form is certainly good enough.

3. Tuvalu (1) – $6.00
Jockey – Jarrod Fry 59kg
Trainer – Lindsey Smith

Ultra consistent galloper who is yet to miss a place from fourteen goes. Got the illustrious G1 win last prep in the Toorak Handicap before splitting Alligator Blood and Mr Brightside in the G1 Cantala Stakes. He’s a three time winner first up and looked good in a recent trial. Should get a nice run from the rails draw and you’d be a brave soul to say he won’t run top three again here.

4. Callsign Mav (8) – $31
Jockey – Jamie Mott 59kg
Trainer – Danny O’Brien

Former Kiwi galloper who made it G1 win number four in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last prep at Caulfield. He looked good in a recent hitout behind Mr Brightside and has a good fresh record. Will be sent around at big odds and can fly under the radar at times. Monitor betting.

5. Western Empire (5) – $41
Jockey – Aaron Lynch 59kg
Trainer – John Leek Jnr

Railway Stakes winner who has missed the start hopelessly both starts this time in. His runs have been better than the form guide reads but he can’t afford to be slow away in a race like this. He’s had a jump out since his last run, where he jumped away cleanly and won well. His best form is good enough to be competitive but has to be taken on trust.


6. Aegon (7) – $26
Jockey – Michael Dee 59kg
Trainer – Andrew Forsman

Kiwi trained galloper who resumes here after a handy prep which saw him win the G3 Moonga Stakes and run a cracking fourth in the G1 Cantala. He’s a two time winner first up and has won three times at 1400m from four runs. The stable has a brilliant strike rate in Australia and he maps well enough in the small field. Capable of causing an upset.

7. Gentleman Roy (3) – $6.00
Jockey – Mark Zahra 59kg
Trainer – Ben & JD Hayes

Led first up and toughed out what was a very strong win at Listed level. He stays at 1400m and Sandown, comes up with a nice low draw and should present fitter here second up. This is no doubt his toughest test to date but he knows how to win and the booking of Mark Zahra is a big plus. One of the main hopes.

8. Nugget (6) – $9.00
Jockey – John Allen 59kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Lightly raced 6YO who continues to improve on Australian soil. This is clearly the strongest field he’s met, after coming through benchmark and Listed grade races, but the style in which he’s been victorious cannot be overlooked. He coasted to the line in a recent jumpout behind stablemate Smokin’ Romans and looks ready to fire here. Big watch.

9. Turaath (2) – $21
Jockey – Damien Oliver 57kg
Trainer – Maddie Raymond

Resumed her prep with a nice effort behind the in-form Jigsaw at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago. Was able to get the chocolates second up last prep and is a five time winner at 1400m. She will race handy from the inside gate and should be competitive providing she can repeat something similar to her fresh run.

10. Jacquinot (4) – $3.30F
Jockey – Damian Lane 55.5kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr


Had to do it the hard way first up here at Sandown but his class prevailed with a fantastic win in the G3 Manfred Stakes. His win in the G1 Golden Rose at 1400m second up last prep had to be seen to be believed and he looks to be back in just as good, if not better, order this time round. Like his stablemate I’m Thunderstruck, the map looks the biggest concern, as the race doesn’t look like it’ll be run at any breakneck pace, but if he can sit close enough in the run he should be extremely hard to hold out late.

Final Word

Feature racing returns in style at Sandown on Saturday with a quality field of gallopers lining up in the CF Orr. Seven of the ten runners are already Group 1 winners and some of the country’s leading riders will be legged aboard in what will be a tactical contest.

The Price/ Kent Jnr stable have a strong hand in the race and will saddle up the top two in the market. Leaning towards the three-year-old Jacquinot simply because he will most likely land a pair closer to the speed and have less to do in the straight. His first up win was excellent and he’s a G1 winner second up. He was excellent in The Everest against the older horses and gets a bit of weight relief under the conditions in this.


There is no doubt his stablemate I’m Thunderstruck is the danger and best performed horse in the race. If jockey Jamie Kah can have him close enough in the run, without putting him out of his comfort zone, he will be mighty hard to hold out. He’s a two time winner first up and looks ready to fire off the back of a nice trial.

Likely leader Gentleman Roy rarely runs a bad race and looks as though he’ll get control of the race early. His first up win was tough and he has great stats at 1400m and here at Sandown. Yes, this is tougher but he wasn’t far away at G1 level last prep and should be greatly respected.

Tuvalu is honest as the day is long and is yet to be unplaced in fourteen career starts. From the rails draw he will get a cosy run and should be in it for a long way. Nugget keeps improving and deserves a crack at G1 level and Turaath isn’t hopeless, after a nice first up effort behind Jigsaw who was race fit and in flying form.

CF Orr Stakes TipLogo

10. Jacquinot – Win ($3.30)

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*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.

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2022 CF Orr Stakes Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

The CF Orr Stakes is the opening Group 1 of the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival. Run over 1400m at Caulfield, the race has a long and prestigious honour roll including some absolute champions of the turf. Kiwi star and spring grand slam winner Rising Fast won the race in 1956. Manikato saluted on three occasions from 1979-81, as did iron horse Vo Rogue from 1988-90. 

Bart’s champion chestnut Saintly, super stallion Redoute’s Choice, the black flash Lonhro and ‘Elvis’ Elvstroem have all been winners of the race. In more recent years we saw arguably the best sprinter in history Black Caviar, take out the event at her only go at 1400m.

I think it’s fair to say we won’t see a horse of that quality win this year’s race but nevertheless we have a strong 12 horse field looking to win the $750k feature, perhaps on their way to bigger and better things this preparation. 

The race has been dominated by favourites in recent years but looking at this year’s market, it looks a very open race. Sportsbet has the Freedman trained Sinawann favourite at $4.40 ahead of Adelaide’s pride Behemoth at $5.50. Golden Eagle winner Im Thunderstruck, dogged mare Tofane and American import Lighthouse are also under double figures. 

We know with horse racing that anything can happen and races like these are not easy to assess. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 CF Orr Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips. 

1. Im Thunderstruck (11) – $6.50
Jockey – Jye McNeil
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr


Resumes here off a 105 day spell. Progressed from winning a Sale maiden to the G1 Toorak Handicap and $7.5m Golden Eagle last prep. His last run at this track and trip was in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes where he savaged the line. He will be ridden back from the wide draw here and will be looking to do the same. Would like to think he has come back a bigger, stronger 4yo this campaign and that alone should stamp him as one of the horses to beat.

2. Cascadian (1) – $19
Jockey – Damien Oliver
Trainer – James Cummings

Evergreen gelding who albeit didn’t grace the winners stall last prep, ran some big races in some of the country’s features. He has a good fresh record and attacked the line well first up last prep in the Winx Stakes behind Mo’unga. His Caulfield stats don’t read well on paper (4:0-0-0) but he hasn’t been far away on those occasions. From the inside gate he will be back midfield or worse and looking for some luck in the straight. Could sneak a place.

3. Behemoth (9) – $5.50
Jockey – Jamie Kah
Trainer – David Jolly

Three time Group 1 winner at this track and trip. Resumed in the Durbridge at Morphettville last start as an odds on favourite but wasn’t able to run down smart sprinter Kemalpasa. They ran very good closing sectionals in that race and although he got beat, the run suggests he has come back in good order. Gets to his pet trip here and gets J Kah on. Looks hard to toss second up.

4. Wild Planet (3) – $21
Jockey – Damian Thornton
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes

Resumed in the Australia Stakes where he was simply run off his legs behind Marabi. His late sectionals were good and draws to get a good run here up to the 1400m. He won the Group 3 Moonga Stakes at his most recent outing at Caulfield and although I couldn’t put him on top, I wouldn’t be surprised to see an improved effort. 


5. Secret Blaze (10) – $126
Jockey – Jordan Childs
Trainer – Tony & Calvin McEvoy

Stayer resuming here in what looks to be a race a bit out of his depth. No fresh wins and his best form is over 10 furlongs and beyond. A win would be surprising. 

6. Just Folk (4) – $91
Jockey – Dean Holland
Trainer – Joshua Julius

Honest gelding who resumed and was no match behind Marabi at the Valley. Was only beaten a length in the Cantala Stakes last prep at Group 1 level but feel he may just be a cog below some of his rivals here. Not the worst.

7. Sinawann (6) – $4.40F
Jockey – Craig Williams
Trainer – Anthony & Sam Freedman

Irish import who has made a big impression since arriving in Australia last year. His win in the Group 3 Heffernan Hcp was very good and I was equally as impressed with his fast finishing 2nd to Marabi first up this prep. His second up record speaks for itself (4:3-0-0) and the step up to 1400m looks more than ideal. He’s drawn well in 6 and should get every opportunity to go one better here.

8. Tofane (8) – $6.50
Jockey – Mark Zahra
Trainer – Michael Moroney


Tough mare who resumes here after a long and consistent preparation. Was narrowly defeated in the Memsie and Makybe Diva behind Behemoth and Incentivise before giving a lot of weight to Im Thunderstruck and narrowly going down in the Group 1 Toorak. Although she hasn’t won first up, she is usually around the mark and can’t see that changing here. If she can slot in from the gate and get an economical run she will be in it for a long way.

9. Sierra Sue (7) – $11
Jockey – John Allen
Trainer – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young

Honest mare resuming here. Found her best form last prep to win the Mildura Cup, PB Lawrence Stakes and the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes here at Caulfield. Has won twice fresh and is unbeaten at 1400m around Caulfield. Drawn well and is one of the leading chances in a competitive race. 

10. Inspirational Girl (12) – $19
Jockey – Damian Lane
Trainer – Danny O’Brien

Talented Perth mare who brings a good record into this race winning 9 from 13. She has only had the one run for trainer Danny O’Brien where she finished 5th in last year’s Memsie Stakes here at Caulfield. Her form prior in WA was strong including a Group 1 win in the Railway Stakes. She should have no trouble measuring up to this grade but feel she may be better as the distances increase. Look for her to be strong late.

11. Lighthouse (2) – $9.00
Jockey – Ben Allen
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

American import who is building an imposing record here in Australia. Strung four wins together before tasting her first defeat in the land down under last start behind Open Minded. She tried hard on that occasion and was far from disgraced. First go at WFA here is the test but she has drawn well and has to be considered.

12. Lightsaber (5) – $12
Jockey – Blaike McDougall
Trainer – Peter G Moody

The lone 3yo of the field. Though the first up run behind Marabi was only fair. He raced like a horse wanting 1400m which he gets here or even a mile. Has drawn well and no stable is going better than that of P G Moody’s lately but I think we will wait until he’s back to his own age.


Final Word

This year’s CF Orr Stakes looks a very even and competitive race on paper. A lot of form is tied in together through these runners on different tracks and over longer/ shorter journeys. 

Im Thunderstruck will be looking to resume with a bang after a super prep last time in which saw him pocket almost $5m in prize money, whilst Behemoth will be out to go one better after tasting defeat first up over 1100m. Up to his pet trip you would think he gets his chance to do so.

Race favourite Sinawann will be looking to do the same after chasing hard behind Marabi last start. The step up in trip also looks to aid his chances. Of the mares Tofane and Sierra Sue both have good fresh form and are more than capable of winning this race over the seven furlongs and the grey mare Lighthouse can easily measure up here at her first go at WFA.


With all that said and done, I’m leaning towards the Mike Moroney trained mare Tofane. She really found a purple patch of form last preparation, which saw her win two Group 1’s on the hop and finish a gallant 2nd in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap. On that occasion she gave the winner Im Thunderstruck 6kg. The tables are turned here and she meets him 8kg better. 

She has contested a number of major sprint races like The Everest and the Newmarket and feel she could be a bit sharper than most of her rivals here fresh over the 1400m. Her lone start at this track/ trip saw her finish a close 3rd in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes. Looking at the speed map, it looks as though she will get a cosy run just behind the leaders and I’m sure she has the right form and credentials to be fighting out the finish. 

Best CF Orr Stakes Tip: 8. Tofane – Each Way ($6.50/$2.35)

If you need more news, information and tips, head over to our CF Orr Stakes page for all your punting needs!

*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Sportsbet.