Gr 1 – CF Orr Stakes

Superstar who is in the form of his life. Ran fast time when he just missed in the 1200m Gr 2 Premier, then sat a little wide yet fought on gamely when 3rd in the Gr 1 Everest behind Ka Ying Rising. Backed up 2 weeks later and was way too good for Lady Shenandoah in the $3million Balding at Randwick on a soft track. Rates very highly and has won at Gr 1 level this trip. Chances are enhanced if it is wet.

Deserves a crack at this but has had a fair bit of travelling and racing of late. Beaten a nostril in the Gr 1 Toorak over a mile when flying from the back then went to Sydney and was a strong 3rd to the superstar Autumn Glow in the $10million Golden Eagle over 1500m. Can lead and probably does go forward this time, and if so, rates highly.

Good, honest and now in form sprinter who should be near the pace all the way. Ran home well enough for 3rd last start up the straight at Flemington in Gr 3 Rising Fast. This is harder but was 5th in the 1400m Gr 1 Stradbroke earlier this year in very fast time. Place at best.

Tends to like a solid pace on and may not get that here. Has been trucking along on a long reign past few, travelling like a winner but not finishing his races off. Place at best.

Just how good is this bloke? Hmmm, well, let’s look. He has won a Gr 2 race this trip and track. But because he gets back, he tends to find it tough weaving through the field, so the small race here should suit. Now, after running a stunning final 600m when 4th in Gr 1 Rupert Clarke here, he went north to run in the Gr 1 Everest, over 1200m and finished 2 lengths behind the best sprinter in the world. Jimmysstar was in that race too and was a length in front of him at the end. This next comment will be controversial, but if this guy had clear air, he would have won. As a result, I think he turns the tables on Jimmy here.

Is simply not good enough to win this, but small field means his connections earn something. And, oddly enough, despite running 9th last start over this trip, he ran 1.22.34, which isn’t a bad time. Saying that, he looks safely held.

Has mixed his form a bit this time up against the best of his 3YO cohort, but at the WFA scale here he looms large. Drawn widest, so probably goes forward early, and if he can find the front without challenge or pressure, he is fit and tough enough to make a real race of this. Have in your numbers.