06/02/21 Best bets for the C.F. Orr Stakes
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- Author: Jackson FrantzFeb 05, 2021 07:26 AM
- Photo: AAP
Group 1 Racing Returns
The WFA Group 1 CF Orr Stakes sees Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet resume over 1400m in his first career start under 2000m, ahead of an upcoming All-Star Mile tilt.
Underrated Chris Waller galloper Imaging is still searching for a maiden Group 1 victory and looks to get his best chance at it here, after some bold spring showings last campaign.
Meanwhile lone three-year-old Crosshaven gets in with a light weight, and will be out to run his more experienced rivals into the ground with a display of front running dominance.
The first Group 1 of the season shapes up to be a cracker.
Track Conditions
The Caulfield circuit has played superbly in recent weeks and I’m expecting that theme to continue tomorrow.
Last Friday, the track copped 52mm of rain and by Saturday afternoon we saw racing in the fast range.
This has led me to do my form based on a Good 4 surface.
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Caulfield Race 8 - C.F. Orr Stakes 1400m (Group 1)
The Map 
Streets Of Avalon (8) will cross from the wide draw here to control the tempo, while three-year-old Crosshaven (4) will kick up to settle in behind or alongside the track specialist.
Sovereign Award (5) can also be prominent and challenge for the lead alongside Angel Of Truth (7).
Humidor (10) and Imaging (9) map awkwardly in barriers 9 and 10 respectively but can offset the draws by being ridden conservatively.
Favourite Sir Dragonet (3) will end up being posted three or four back the fence and stuck behind a wall of horses when they turn for home.
Analysis & Tips 
1st Imaging $6.50
Happy to lay the short-priced Sir Dragonet here and dive into the value that this underrated Chris Waller gelding presents.
He boasts a strong fresh record, with five placings from seven attempts. His most recent first-up effort was a luckless third behind Eduardo and Flit in the Group 2 Missile Stakes.
After that run he went on to finish 0.5l lengths behind superstar mare Verry Elleegant in the Winx Stakes, before multiple Group 1 placings behind Kolding and Gytrash in fast time.
His trails leading into this haven’t been great, but he’s not regarded as a star trialer having finished last and second last prior to kicking off his spring campaign last year.
2nd Crosshaven
Lone three-year-old Crosshaven meets his older rivals 4kg better off at the weights here.
He’s proven at Caulfield and was brave in defeat, when sitting three-wide without cover in the Caulfield Guineas.
From the midfield draw, he can roll forward to sit in behind Streets Of Avalon before using his weight advantage to skip away from his more experienced opposition.
3rd Streets Of Avalon
He’s a Group 1 winner at this track and trip, beating Super Seth and Melody Belle in last year’s Futurity Stakes.
That day he was the beneficiary of a severe leader bias and has since failed to measure up at Group 1 level.
This race could be his best chance at claiming a second and if there’s any sign of the track suiting those up on the speed he comes right into calculations.
4th Sir Dragonet
Happy to lay the race favourite Sir Dragonet here despite the Cox Plate winner's recent trials, suggesting he’s forward enough to be competitive at his first attempt below 2000m.
I’m expecting that everything that could go wrong will and he will end up being posted three or four back the fence and stuck behind a wall of horses at vital stages in the race.
