2023 C.F. Orr Stakes preview & betting strategy | February 11

The first Group 1 in Australia for the year, the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes takes centre stage on the nine-race program at Sandown on Saturday afternoon. A field of 10 has accepted for the 1400m weight-for-age event, with seven of the 10 competitors already proving successful at Group 1 Level.

C.F. Orr Stakes odds

Online bookmakers have narrowed it down to the two Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr runners, with last-start Manfred Stakes winner Jacquinot opening a $3.60 favourite. Stablemate I’m Thunderstruck is coming off an eye-catching trial at Geelong on January 31, and despite giving his stablemate a race fitness advantage, he simply cannot be discounted. Tuvalu ($6) and Gentleman Roy ($7) are the only other two runners under a double-figure quote.

C.F. Orr Stakes speedmap analysis

The speed map looks straightforward for the Orr. Gentleman Roy looks set to use his perfect draw to his advantage and find the rail, with Callsign Mav to come from the deep and settle to his outside throughout. Tuvalu from barrier one will most likely settle on the leaders’ heels, while Mr Brightside looks set to lob in the one-one. Despite Mick Price wanting I’m Thunderstruck to be more prominent upon settling, he and race favourite Jacquinot will likely be giving their rivals a start, but look for them to be powering home late.

C.F. Orr Stakes form

Three of the last four winners of the C.F. Orr had come to the race with at least one start under their belt, and considering how easily Gentleman Roy won the Listed John Dillon Stakes, we’re happy to side with him. The Ben & JD Hayes-trained son of So You Think certainly has a Group 1 race in him, and we expect that to be this year’s edition of the C.F. Orr Stakes. He has a racing pattern which is hard to knock; the ability to jump cleanly from the stalls, absorb pressure and then have the audacity to offer a kick in the home straight. Mark Zahra sticks on board, and considering he already has the run under his belt at the Sandown 1400m, his experience at the track and trip, and with race fitness to his name, Gentleman Roy is sure to be hard to gun down.

Jacquinot clearly wanted the win more than his rivals in the Manfred Stakes, and despite arguably not deserving that win, he is sure to improve dramatically second-up from a spell. His career peak came when rising to the 1400m second-up from a spell in the spring when thundering home to claim the Golden Rose. Based on his first-up win, he needs this to be run at a genuine tempo, which Gentleman Roy and Callsign Mav should create. Being a three-year-old, he gets in well at the weights, and with a thunderous turn of foot, Jacquinot is a deserving favourite.

I’m Thunderstruck is without a doubt the class Group 1 runner in the event, and based on his trial at Geelong on January 31, he is going to take some holding out. However, some of his best results have come on tracks with the sting out of it, and considering we should be on a Good 4 on Saturday, we are happy to risk him. He will also be wanting this run at a genuine tempo, but considering he is giving Jacquinot 3.5kg and Gentleman Roy a tactical advantage, we are happy to risk him in a race he will clearly not be screwed down for.

Mr Brightside and Tuvalu are always there or thereabouts, and outside of one or two horses, no result would surprise in the 2023 C.F. Orr Stakes.

2023 C.F. Orr Stakes selections & best bets

• 7

  GENTLEMAN ROY

• 10

  JACQUINOT

• 1

  I’M THUNDERSTRUCK

• 2

  MR BRIGHTSIDE

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