Read the comments from the trainers and each of the jockeys about their rides in the 2025 CF Orr Stakes raced at Caulfield on Saturday 15th November.
Winning Trainer: Ciaron Maher
“He’s a ripper. I was so confident over the last couple of weeks with him. I know he’d had a few runs in big races but we only keep him fresh enough to run at six (furlongs) and he was better at 6½ and I knew he’d be better today.
“Browny just rides him so well. He was in the driver’s seat most of the way. He’s got a great rapport with him and he’s a great fella. I can’t thank my team enough. He’s been to Sydney for a long time and he’s come down to Melbourne seamlessly.
“I think he had his breakout group one here at Caulfield and his record is near impeccable here, and it is just fitting.
Great job by the MRC to put this race back here. It fits in well with the program. They’ve got a crack field and well done to them.”
On horse and rider: “He’s that fast that I don’t think Ethan will allow himself to be not too far from him. He’s a very good horse. He used to be a bit unruly in the mounting yard and pre-race but he’s grown up so much.
“You can just see the confidence in the horse. He could have led the race and looked like it early. Ethan, over the past two years, you can see how much confidence (he had) and they are similar in how they’ve grown in confidence together.
“It is very good to watch and I’m proud of them.”
“Ethan, Ashhis strapper, John O’Neill and Jimmy – they’re all legends.
Next year: “He’s earned a breather now. I did have him in in Perth but I thought now he’s earned a nice break. It’ll all probably be centred around The Everest next year, I’d imagine. I’ve been partners with the TAB the last couple of years so hopefully we can partner up again.
“A race like the TJ Smith probably suits him down to the ground.”
Winning Jockey: Ethan Brown
His favourite horse: “By far. He’s such a beauty. It is well publicised, my love for him and it is obvious why. He is the ultimate professional.
“He wasn’t easy to deal with early doors. Even when he won the Oakleigh Plate, he was very full of himself but he has really come of age since then.
“He’s turned into the ultimate professional and his races are showing it.
“I knew I was on the best horse and I believed I was on the best horse so I rode him accordingly. He began really well. I thought halfway up the hill ‘woo boy, come back’.
“Once that rush came across he relaxed beautifully in what was a good tempo. When they came up for air a bit down the side, then quickened I just had to be on top of that. He does hit a flat spot.
“He sort of felt Angel Capital there and I think that helped him and off he went.
“He gives me such an amazing feeling and he’s such a good horse.”
Beaten Jockeys:
Jamie Melham (Evaporate): “Fantastic run, he was very, very tough. He’s got a big one in him.”
Jamie Mott (Bosustow): “Terrific run through the race, really travelled up well. Maybe at this level he might want a bit more give in the track.”
Carleen Hefel (Pinstriped): “He was very good. We wanted to hold a spot but he didn’t have that speed today. Travelled really well throughout, came off the fence on the corner, had to wait for a run but once he got out he was very good to the line.”
Ben Melham (Angel Capital): “Super run. I thought he had his chance, he’s just a bloody good horse Jimmysstar. It’s only a matter of time our bloke wins a group one but he just ran into a champion today.”
Luke Currie (Mighty Ulysses): “He travelled well. As soon as the pressure went on he struggled, just didn’t feel comfortable today.”
Michael Dee (Vinrock): “A little bit disappointing, he came under pressure a long way from home, I thought he would go through that flat spot and show a bit of fight, but not today.”
