2025 C.F. Orr Stakes Day Tips & Preview

Liberami kept coming last start over shorter at Sandown, settling midfield before working home strongly down the outside to run a distant second to a smart gelding out of the Danny O’Brien yard. 

His late sectionals that day really caught the eye, and it’s safe to say he own wound up over the final 100m where he was seen smoking the line. 

Fitter third-up and set to peak over the mile for the first time, Mark Zahra only needs to settle handy to the speed for the pair to be a serious chance. 

Emphasize should have his share of admirers following a stylish win of his maiden at Sale early last month. 

The Kiwi-bred gelding by Group 1 winner Embellish had no luck in the run when caught three wide approaching the turn, but that didn’t stop him from turning on the afterburners not long after straightening to race away under hands and heels for a comfortable four length win. 

This is tougher again up to Saturday grade, but back from a decent break and out over further, he just needs to land in behind the speed under Craig Williams to give a race like this a serious shake. 

Shaiyhar is my pick in a pretty difficult race between some old stayers. 

This Busuttin and Young-trained gelding is a proven performer over the 2000m trip at this level, as we saw a couple of weeks ago at Flemington where he got away quickly to land in the first half of the field, before knuckling down to win by over a length. 

Considering he was four weeks between runs that day, there is scope for natural improvement with Craig Williams carrying only 2.5kg extra in the saddle. 

With a little luck from out wide, winning two on the bounce wouldn’t come as a surprise. 

Field Of Play resumes for the Busuttin and Young team off a decent six-week break. 

This two-year-old Deep Field colt really caught the eye when winning on debut at The Valley late last year, settling fourth off the lead before timing his run to perfection coming out of the turn. 

He went on to win by a handy margin of more than three lengths in the end, showcasing sustained speed all the way through the line. 

Given a jump out between starts, he should have a stack of support ahead of his return to the races in the Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G).  

Happy to stick with Miss Celine here second-up from a spell. 

The Hayes-trained mare was unlucky not to find the placings fresh in the Preview race against a few key rivals a couple of weeks ago, seen working home strongly along the inside after weaving her way through some late traffic. 

I thought she was held up briefly at one point but was seen doing her best work late through the line.  

A previous Stakes winner here on debut at Caulfield with Blake Shinn on board, her best is certainly good enough as the pair reunite from another low gate in the Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude field.

Maharba is back from a break for Grahame Begg hoping to pick up where he left off during the spring. 

The Pride Of Dubai four-year-old claimed the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes down the straight at Headquarters, backing that performance up to find the line for second in the Winterbottom Stakes behind Overpass. 

He appeared in good order during a recent Cranbourne jump out and is typically competitive fresh from a spell. Drawn a nice soft gate, look for him to get back around midfield and attempt to launch late. 

The Autumn Stakes looks like the perfect race for Angel Capital on return. 

Clinton McDonald’s colt enjoyed a short but fruitful spring prep last time in work, adding some black-type to his resume by claiming the Listed McKenzie Stakes and the Group 3 Guineas Prelude in succession.  

Still lightly raced, he wrapped up his campaign finishing within four lengths of Private Eye in the Caulfield Guineas, a game effort after working home from a five-wide position. 

Given a couple of trials to get him ready, Ben Melham steps back into the saddle with plenty to work with from barrier 6. 

Munhamek seems to be nearing his peak having just ran on late for third at Flemington over the mile.  

Nick Ryan’s gelding quickened at the 200m mark and loomed as the winner one point along the rail, only conceding over his final few strides once Marble Arch and Wings Of Song reeled him in. 

Those same two horses meet him better off at the weights on Saturday, but with added fitness now and some decent winning form here at Caulfield, he’s every chance if Billy Egan finds a similar spot in the run. 

The first Group 1 race of the year has arrived and it’s one Mr Brightside knows all too well. 

The defending champ won this race last year by the barest of margins over Pride Of Jenni, and he now meets an arguably weaker field with a chance to claim his sixth win over the 1400m trip at Caulfield. 

Steparty is the one I’d be keen to have a look at each way if you’re searching for move value.  

Paul Preusker’s gelding was slow away and too far back to make his presence felt in the Australia Stakes at The Valley last start, but he did make up good late ground for second. Keep in mind he was five weeks between runs that day, so there’s improvement still to come with a couple of Group 1 placings also to his name. 

Taking a stab here on Actuality, who goes around second-up for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman in just her third race start. 

The Snitzel filly defied market expectations as 14-1 shot when she stuck to the task well at Flemington for second last month, a race she probably would have won if it wasn’t for the fast-finishing Reluctantlycharmed. 

Still, she showed a serious turn of speed over the final 300m and appears to be a filly with upside. 

If she settles in the run this time and avoids the tendency to over-race, a win here in the Peter Le Grand Stakes isn’t out of the question.