The CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday marks the return of Group 1 racing to Victoria for 2025, with a star-studded lineup set to light up the track. Headlining the feature race is the ever-popular Mr Brightside, who will aim to defend his title and secure a remarkable ninth Group 1 victory. The 1400m contest is shaping up as a thrilling clash of champions, with several other high-profile runners making their seasonal reappearances.
Among the contenders are Duke De Sessa, the reigning Caulfield Cup winner; Private Life, last year’s Caulfield Guineas victor; Pinstriped, who triumphed in the Memsie Stakes; Maharba, the Winterbottom Stakes runner-up; and Super Smink, the talented West Australian mare making her Victorian debut.
The C.F. Orr Stakes boasts an illustrious honour roll, with past winners including legends such as Lonhro (2004), Elvstroem (2005), El Segundo (2007), Typhoon Tracy (2010/2011), Black Caviar (2012), All Too Hard (2013), Dissident (2015), Black Heart Bart (2017), and Hartnell (2018). Mr Brightside added his name to this prestigious list last year and will face stiff competition as he seeks to go back-to-back.
Key rivals include Schwarz, who arrives in peak form following his victory in the Group 2 Australia Stakes last week, and Group 1 winners Pinstriped and Private Life, both of whom shone during the spring carnival.
Super Smink, trained by Dan Morton, will have her first start in Victoria, with John Allen booked to ride. Meanwhile, Ciaron Maher is expected to saddle up two runners: Southport Tycoon and Another Wil. Queenslander Freedom Rally will also line up, with Ethan Brown taking the ride.
Just Folk has been nominated but may bypass the race in favour of an easier assignment at Flemington the following week.
Mr Brightside is the short priced favourite with online betting sites at $2.40 with Another Wil on the second line of betting at $6.00, closely followed by Schwarz, I Wish I Win and Steparty.
CF Orr Stakes Likely Field
MR BRIGHTSIDE (B, W & JD Hayes) C Williams
ANOTHER WIL (C Maher)
SCHWARZ (J O’Shea & T Charlton) B Shinn
STEPARTY (P Preusker)
PRIVATE LIFE (C Waller)
PINSTRIPED (E Jusufovic) B Allen
JUST FOLK (G Bedggood) J Mott
SOUTHPORT TYCOON (C Maher)
FREEDOM RALLY (T Gollan) E Brown
SUPER SMINK (D Morton) J Allen
