2021 Neds CF Orr Stakes Day Tips & Preview
Viridine will contest the Neds Sir John Monash. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

2021 Neds CF Orr Stakes Day Tips & Preview

2021 Neds CF Orr Stakes Day is finally here, and nine outstanding races will be contested at Caulfield on Saturday!

The $500,000 Group 1 is the obvious highlight, but the Neds Blue Diamond Series will continue, and several traditional lead-ups to some of autumn’s major races will also be contested!

I’ve previewed the lot, and you can find my 2021 Neds CF Orr Stakes Day tips below.

The Big Screen Company Handicap (1400m) – 12:40pm AEDT
No. 1 Mystery Shot

Mystery Shot clearly needed the run when he finished down the order at Flemington when resuming, but I am expecting good improvement and a far better effort in the first on Neds CF Orr Stakes Day.

The Lindsey Smith-trained gelding was simply outstanding during his debut preparation last winter, winning each of his five starts.

He is drawn to receive a lovely run from barrier 5 and can fight out the finish.

Group 2 Neds Blue Diamond Prelude F (1100m) – 1:15pm AEDT
No. 5 Arcaded

Arcaded was a dominant winner on debut here at Caulfield last month, albeit at a weaker grade, and the Neds Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies looks a lovely race for her.

The Street Boss filly pleased Godolphin and trainer James Cummings prior to making her debut, and there’s little doubt that she’ll only improve for her first experience at the races.

Damian Lane retains the ride and on exposed form, she looks tough to beat.

Group 3 Neds Blue Diamond Prelude C&G (1100m) – 1:50pm AEDT
No. 3 Extreme Warrior

Extreme Warrior is still a maiden, but he looks to be a horse with plenty of ability, and I’m happy to stick with him in the Neds Blue Diamond Prelude for colts and geldings.

The two-year-old by Extreme Choice ran home well to finish second behind Fake Love in the Listed Debutant Stakes in October, and resumed this time for second, half a length behind General Beau in the Blue Diamond Preview.

He’s another that strips fitter and is ready to win.

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Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) – 2:25pm AEDT
No. 3 Young Werther

Young Werther will make his eagerly awaited return in the Autumn Stakes and looks well placed to win.

The Tavistock gelding stamped himself as a runner to follow when an easy winner on debut at Geelong in September, and it’s fair to say that he was a good thing licked in the Listed Super Impose Stakes second-up, receiving absolutely no luck at all.

He went to the paddock after finishing third in the Victoria Derby, and this looks a lovely launchpad for him.

Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) – 3pm AEDT
No. 1 La Mexicana

This is a decent edition of the Kevin Hayes Stakes, but La Mexicana was an impressive winner over 1100m at Caulfield when fresh, and she will only improve into this.

Simply put, the I Am Invincible filly doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and has recorded four wins and two minors from her six career starts.

Leading hoop Jamie Kah understandably retains the ride and should be able to find a nice position in running from barrier 2.

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Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) – 3:35pm AEDT
No. 1 Neufbosc

The Perth-trained Neufbosc is dropping back from a mile and a half to contest this race, but he’s a little over four weeks between runs, and does have a fitness edge over many of his rivals in the Carlyon Cup.

The Mastercraftsman gelding has always been an above-average galloper, but he has gone to another level since transferring to the care of Neville Parnham and has three of his last five starts, all in black type company.

I’m happy to have something small on under the conditions.

Group 3 Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) – 4:15pm AEDT
No. 7 Lashes

The Bellmaine Stakes is always a quality and open race for mares, and there is absolutely no exception to that rule in 2021, with the likes of Probabeel, Bame’s On Fire and Sierra Sue all confirmed to start.

Lashes has a fitness edge over several key rivals however, and I am happy to stick with her.

The Matt Smith-trained mare has been a model of consistency throughout her career, and has prepared for this race by running third in BM78 company at Randwick and second behind Tailleur in a BM88 race last time.

She’ll be partnered by Craig Williams from an inside draw, and she can record a well-deserved win in black type company.

Group 1 Neds CF Orr Stakes (1400m) – 4:55pm AEDT
No. 2 Sir Dragonet

The first Group 1 race of the season is always one of the most highly anticipated of the season, but particularly when it carries our name.

For the record, I’ve put Sir Dragonet on top, but you can find a full races preview and my complete 2021 Neds CF Orr Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.

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Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) – 5:35pm AEDT
No. 4 Garner

A key form indicator to the Neds Oakleigh Plate in two weeks’ time, the Rubiton Stakes is one of my favourite sprints of the autumn and a typically smart field will contest the last on 2021 Neds CF Orr Stakes Day.

Gordon Richards is right up there with my favourite blokes in racing, and I think he’ll be winning this with Garner.

He has been somewhere overshadowed by his stable mate Gytrash, but Garner has also been a terrific horse for the stable for several preps now, and found form around some good ones last prep.

He has missed placing just once in four previous fresh attempts and will be steered by Craig Williams.