Cox Plate 2021: guide to the runners, odds and tips for the big race
October 21, 2021
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Welcome to our 2021 Cox Plate runner-by-runner guide and tips, for the weight-for-age championship of…
C.F. Orr Stakes 2022: Caulfield runner by runner guide and tip
Our CF Orr Stakes runner-by-runner guide and tips will give you an insight into the main chances of winning the group 1 race run at Caulfield in Melbourne on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
The weather is clear for the quality nine-race card, with the weight-for-age Orr Stakes the second-last race of the day and run at 5.05pm local time.
The early favourite is the former Irish galloper Sinawann, with the stallion a group 3 winner in his homeland as well as in Australia. Sinawann has had only three starts Down Under since joining the quality stable of Anthony and Sam Freedman, with the second of those runs producing a win in the group 3 Heffernan Stakes over the Caulfield 1400 metres in November.
But he will certainly not have it all his own way with the topweight I’m Thunderstruck a rising star of the Australian turf, while bonny mare Tofane is a proven performer at the top level.
Several others look poised to also measure up in group 1 class, so read on for our assessment of all the runners.
What is the CF Orr Stakes horse race?
The C.F. Orr Stakes is the first Australian thoroughbred group 1 of the calendar year, and is more or less the signal that the autumn carnivals are about to kick off in earnest in both Melbourne and Sydney.
It is run at weight-for-age over 1400 metres and its honour roll is littered with champions of the turf, including the mighty mare Black Caviar, which won this race in 2012.
The race is often a campaign starting point for some of the real stars of the Australian turf, though given it’s a group 1, you can be sure all the runners will be close to their peaks. It can also be a battle between these class horses resuming fresh up against a few battle-hardened contenders for which this is their grand final.
The C.F. Orr Stakes, named for Victorian racing official Charles F. Orr, was first run in 1925 and was granted group 1 status in 1993.
CF Orr Stakes 2022 form & tips
Our resident horse racing expert Magic Mike gives his exclusive opinions on the 12 runners for the 2022 Orr Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, February 12.
1 I’M THUNDERSTRUCK
Trainer: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr). Jockey: Jye McNeil. Barrier: 11. Weight: 59kg
What the World Gambling List says: This horse charged through the ranks last campaign and if he improves again, he could be the best horse in the country. Amazingly has had only nine starts for six wins and two thirds, and has already earned more than $5 million in prizemoney. You could make a case to say he should have won at least eight of his nine starts. His latest win was in the rich Golden Eagle at Rosehill. I’m Thunderstruck has raced well fresh and he he should be charging home again. The one query is this is his first attempt in weight-for-age company after relishing the weight advantages he had last campaign, but he seems certain to measure up at this level. Each-way.
TopSport odds: $6
2 CASCADIAN
Trainer: James Cummings. Jockey: Damien Oliver. Barrier: 1. Weight: 59kg
What the World Gambling List says: A quality galloper which has been racing in the best company for the past couple of years. His win-loss record is not great but the gelding is always around the money and his most recent win was in the Doncaster Handicap in 2021. If things fall into place and the backmarkers are getting their chance, he could easily run into a place.
TopSport odds: $18
3 BEHEMOTH
Trainer: David Jolly. Jockey: Ms Jamie Kah. Barrier: 9. Weight: 59kg
What the World Gambling List says: Always a contender in this type of race and loves the track and distance, over which he has already won three group 1 races. Also gets Jamie Kah to ride and she has rediscovered her best form again after returning from suspension for breaching biosecurity protocols. Before her ban she was headed for our list of the world’s best jockeys. Plenty of early money says this horse will be right there at the end.
TopSport odds: $5.50
4 WILD PLANET
Trainer: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes. Jockey: Damien Thornton. Barrier: 3. Weight: 59kg
What the World Gambling List says: Talented type of galloper which can hit the line hard but is yet to measure up in this sort of company. Happy to bet around.
TopSport odds: $21
5 SECRET BLAZE
Trainer: Tony & Calvin McEvoy. Jockey: Jordan Childs. Barrier: 10. Weight: 59kg
What the World Gambling List says: Looks better suited over more ground. A good middle-distance but have seen nothing to suggest he can win at 1400m at weight-for-age. Not this time for us.
TopSport odds: $91
6 JUST FOLK
Trainer: Josh Julius. Jockey: Dean Holland. Barrier: 4. Weight: 59kg
What the World Gambling List says: A handy galloper with a group 2 win in the Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley but would have to go to a whole new level to get into the finish here. Wait for another day and an easier race to back this one.
TopSport odds: $91
7 SINAWANN
Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman. Jockey: Craig Williams. Barrier: 6. Weight: 59kg
What the World Gambling List says: This former Irish galloper screams potential. He is a five-year-old with only 13 starts under his belt and his best appears to still be in front of him. Powered home last start behind a top-notch galloper in Marabi after missing the start. This stallion looks as though he will only improve and has three runs under his belt this campaign, which could give him the edge over the gallopers tackling this race first- or second-up. The one to beat.
TopSport odds: $4.20
8 TOFANE
Trainer: Michael Moroney. Jockey: Mark Zahra. Barrier: 8. Weight: 57kg
What the World Gambling List says: Ultra-reliable mare and the 1400m is her sweet spot, with three wins and a second from only four starts over the distance. Meets I’m Thunderstruck eight kilos better at the weights for running second to that galloper in the 1600m Toorak Handicap at this track in the spring. The only knock on her is she has not won fresh and tends to improve second-up and further into her campaigns.
TopSport odds: $6.50
9 SIERRA SUE (NZ)
Trainer: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young. Jockey: John Allen. Barrier: 7. Weight: 57kg
What the World Gambling List says: This mare is a real winner with eight wins and one second from 20 starts. Ie, if she is in a tight finish she seems to be able to lift the get the largest share of the spoils. She won the group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at this track and distance in September, beating the unlucky I’m Thunderstruck into third place. This is a tough assignment again, but she will be somewhere not too far from the speed and does not require as much luck in running as a backmarker like I’m Thunderstruck. Irish rider John Allen also has a knack of bobbing up regularly in these group 1s.
TopSport odds: $10
10 INSPIRATIONAL GIRL
Trainer: Danny O’Brien. Jockey: Damian Lane. Barrier: 12. Weight: 57kg
What the World Gambling List says: Former Western Australia-trained mare which possesses a booming finish. She won the 2020 group 1 Railway Stakes in her home state, but raced only once in 2021 and ran OK in a group 1 at this track and distance. Hard to line up but if she is back to her best for O’Brien, would be a knockout chance.
TopSport odds: $18
11 LIGHTHOUSE
Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace. Jockey: Ben Allen. Barrier: 2. Weight: 57kg
What the World Gambling List says: This striking former American mare has been incredible since arrived on these shores, with four wins from only five starts and a narrow second last start when the pattern of racing was against her. Lighthouse has improved every start and while she is being thrown in at the deep end now, she will be running on and is drawn perfectly. Watch for her late.
TopSport odds: $8
12 LIGHTSABER
Trainer: Peter G Moody. Jockey: Blaike McDougall. Barrier: 5. Weight: 55.5kg
What the World Gambling List says: Talented colt suited stepping out to 1400m where he has three wins from four attempts. The only three-year-old in the race and loses nothing with McDougall in the saddle. A contender though he might not possess the same turn of foot as the top few in the betting here.
TopSport odds: $13
Our final CF Orr Stakes top four
BEHEMOTH 1, Sinawann 2, I’m Thunderstruck 3, LIghthouse 4.
Recent winners of the C.F. Orr Stakes
2021: Streets Of Avalon
2020: Alabama Express
2019: Manuel
2018: Hartnell
2017: Black Heart Bart
2016: Suavito
2015: Dissident
2014: Moment Of Change
2013: All Too Hard
2012: Black Caviar
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