Tosen Stardom is seeking a third win at the highest level in Saturday’s Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield and has already attracted plenty of interest in betting.
We opened the talented Japanese import at a $5 quote on Wednesday morning, but he has already firmed into CF Orr Stakes odds of $4.50 at the time of publish, despite drawing the outside barrier.
A strong and consistent performer in his homeland from his first preparation in 2013, Tosen Stardom debuted for trainer Darren Weir for fourth in the 2016 edition of the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m).
By the prominent Japanese sire Deep Impact, a valuable Group 1 win continued to elude the stallion prospect until the recent 2017 Spring Carnival, when he mustered a big performance to comfortably take out the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) by a length from Sovereign Nation.
Having weathered a tough run in transit before finishing eighth in the Group 1 Kennedy Mile (1600m), the seven-year-old further enhanced his stud prospects with another dominant win in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (2000m) last time out on November 11th.
Tosen Stardom has a strong first-up record and will be ridden by Damian Lane in the Orr Stakes, who piloted the horse to both of his Group 1 wins in spring.
The CF Orr Stakes field of fourteen is absolutely packed with talent and there is subsequently plenty of value to be taken from a betting perspective.
The next few lines of CF Orr Stakes betting are occupied by the likes of Hartnell ($6.50), Black Heart Bart ($6.50) and Brave Smash ($8), all of whom have genuine claims on winning the race.
Hartnell has been the standout performer for Godolphin Australia for the best part of two years and is a live hope of adding a third Group 1 title to his resume on Saturday.
The Authorized gelding resumed in spring for a win in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes over course and distance of the Orr Stakes, before running second in each of the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m).
While finishing towards the tail of the field in both the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), Hartnell has reportedly relished his time away from racing and has trialled well in the lead-up to this.
Black Heart Bart is a five-time Group 1 champion and the deferring CF Orr Stakes winner. Having progressed to a similarly-smart win in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) following last year’s win, the Blackfriars gelding has interestingly not returned to winning form through eight subsequent starts, but has been typically strong and consistent, and has an outstanding record over 1400m at Caulfield.
Brave Smash failed to fire in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) first-up, but will take wholesale improvement from the run and is drawn ideally here in barrier 6.
The son of Tosen Phantom made an immediate impact upon debuting for Weir last spring; running second behind Vega Magic in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) first-up before winning the Listed Chandler Macleod Stakes (1200m) and finishing third in The Everest (1200m) most notably.
Mr Sneaky ($9) and Thronum ($10) will also take benefit into this race second-up, while Group 1 winners Single Gaze ($41), Shillelagh ($9) and Mighty Boss ($14) are all interesting first-up prospects.