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C F Orr Stakes 2016 race prereview
12 February 2016 10:41 AM
Caulfield hosts the first Group 1 race of the year and it looks like it's going to be a cracker. The C F Orr Stakes runs over the 1400m course at Caulfield which is one of the trickiest over the distance in the country, with runners facing a hairpin turn immediately after they jump. The race is run under weight-for-age conditions with $500,000 in prize money.
Lucky Hussler started his preparation off in fine style with a commanding win at the Gold Coast on Magic Millions day. Smarter lot here but that win was a class above. Should get a nice sit two or three back from barrier eight with reasonable speed out of the gate and with pace on up front looks like the one to beat.
Turn Me Loose will be the likely leader. Hasn't run at Caulfield before but it should suit his racing style. Led all the way in the WFA Group 2 Crystal Mile at the Valley last preparation. Placed twice from three starts fresh and put in a super fast time in his recent trial. Big danger.
Boban has put in two outstanding first-up performances over his last two preparations, winning the Doomben 10,000 in the Winter and then the Memsie in the Spring on Soft ground. He will get his preferred dry ground here tomorrow and after a strong trial, who is to doubt he can't reproduce that strong finish again first-up.
Boban winning the 2015 Doomben 10,000 over 1350 on a Good 4
Bow Creek has had two starts in Australia after immigrating from Ireland last year. Ran a close second to Turn Me Loose in the Crystal Mile and then pulled up lame in the Emirates. Comes off some solid trial form and should make his presence felt.
Fawkner resumes here. He won fressh last preparation over 1600m in the Group 1 Makybe Diva and ran second the preparation before that in the same race. Has won 3 from 6 starts over the 1400 and loves Caulfield. Can't dismiss.
Suavito is another resuming after a 12 month layoff due to injuries that kept her from participating in last year's Spring Carnival. She trialled well at Flemington last month. Blackiston reports she is back to her best. She is 2-1-1 from 4 first-up starts. Chance.
Rebel Dane returned nicely last start running 1.1 lengths behind Holler over 1200m. Group 1 winner at 1400m and has shown that he can run handy early which will allow him to take advantage of barrier 4 over this course. Can win.
Hucklebuck finished a head away from Rebel Dane last start. Outstanding second-up record with three wins from four starts. Tough barrier on this course will make Trourneur earn his cash.
Trust In A Gust made an impressive return to the track last start, his first race since surgery to remove a bone chip from his stifle. Hasn't missed a place second-up and has 3 wins from 5 starts over the distance. Unplaced only once from seven starts at Caulfield and is a Group 1 winner.
Stratum Star didn't end his last preparation too well when he finished at the back of the field in the Mackinnon. Has put in some strong efforts in past fresh starts including a third behind Boban in the 1400m WFA Memsie second-up last preparation. Some chance.
Entirely Platinum ran within a nostril of beating Boban fresh last preparation in the Memsie. Great record first-up and over the distance. Could be the surprise packet.
Hard to dismiss any of the runners. Fenway is a classy mare, with a Group 1 win and could figure. Mourinho, Rising Romance and Messene are proven at this level and can run the distance.
Prefer Happy Trails a bit later in his preparation but not knocking.
A lot will depend on how they travel in front here. I am expecting strong pace up front with Entirely Platinum and Turn Me Loose firing in front which could work well for back markers that settle early in a good spot and get a trail into the straight.
1st #3 Boban has a tricky barrier but the race looks to suit and I am expecting him to get clear air in the straight and motor home for the prize.
2nd #4 Lucky Hussler looks great coming into to this and expect him to be there at the business end.
3rd #12 Entirely Platinum
Mike Steward