Best Bets For CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield

It is CF Orr Stakes Day at Caulfield on Saturday. The feature race is one of the leading Group One contests this spring in Melbourne. It takes place over 1400 metres, and is a weight for age race.

Here is a look at the best bets for CF Orr Stakes Day and some of the supporting races on another big afternoon of racing in Victoria.

BEST BET: JIMMYSSTAR

CF Orr Stakes (Race 8)

Jimmysstar goes into this year’s renewal of the CF Orr Stakes in the best form of his career. His latest success came in the Russell Balding Stakes at Randwick, where he beat a strong field that included Lady Shenandoah, Briasa and War Machine.

Trainer Ciaron Maher is delighted that the CF Orr Stakes has moved from February to form part of the new look Spring Carnival Schedule. His horse is primed for this assignment, where he will take on Angel Capital and Evaporate.

The step up 1400 metres will not be a problem for Maher’s star, as he is a three-time winner over this distance, including in the Group One All Ages Stakes last season. The six-year-old has also won over 1500 metres, so he has shown he is versatile beyond the sprint distances.

Angel Capital is the leading challenger to Jimmysstar, according to the odds for this race. Chris Waller’s colt finished three places behind his rival in the Everest at Randwick. He will need to take a huge step forward to reverse that form at Caulfield.

There is a smaller field than usual for this renewal of the 1400-metre contest due to Jimmysstar’s presence. Regular rider Ethan Brown will be able to keep his horse in a good position from barrier three and make his move for the winning line at the right moment in the race.

SECOND BEST BET: SHEZA ALIBI

Sandown Guineas (Race 7)

Sheza Alibi took a big step forward on her last start to win the Group Three Vanity on Derby Day at Flemington. In only her second outing as a three-year-old, she relished the 1400 metre distance to score by just under two lengths.

Confidence is high behind Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s filly to continue her progression in the Group Two Sandown Guineas, where she will be tackling colts and geldings. Fillies have an excellent record in this race, winning the last three renewals.

Moody and Coleman also gave their filly an entry in the CF Orr Stakes on the same card as the Sandown Guineas. They have opted for the easier of the two races, and they can be rewarded for that move with victory in the valuable three-year-old contest.

BEST VALUE: TOMATO TOASTIE

Thoroughbred Club Stakes (Race 9)

My Gladiola is the hot favourite for the $1 million Thoroughbred Club Stakes, and after finishing second in the Coolmore Stud Stakes behind Tentyris, it’s easy to see why she tops the betting. However, that was only two weeks ago, so having such a tough race coming into this might work against the talented filly.

In contrast to the favourite, Tomato Toastie has raced just three times in her career. She has been successful on her last two starts on the track. This will be her first run of the campaign, so she should be much fresher than many of her rivals. The daughter of Too Darn Hot is good value to take another step forward in her career and win this valuable prize.