CF Orr Stakes 2025: Group 1 Racing Returns to Caulfield
The 2025 Group 1 racing season kicks off in style this Saturday, February 8, at Caulfield Racecourse, headlined by the $750,000 Sportsbet C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m), and here we present our Caulfield Betting Insights.
A star-studded 10-race program boasts seven Group-level events, making it one of the most anticipated race days of the summer.
With a total prize pool of $2.8 million, punters can expect high-quality racing on a Good 4 track, with fine weather forecast for the weekend. The rail is in the true position, ensuring a fair and competitive day of racing.
Can Mr Brightside Make History?
The 101st running of the C.F. Orr Stakes sees a field of 10 elite gallopers battle it out over 1400m. Leading the charge is Mr Brightside, who resumes from a spell and looks to go back-to-back in the Orr—a feat achieved by only four horses in history.
But will the champ deliver again, or is an upset on the cards? Check out our full race preview, top tips, and Caulfield betting insights for the 2025 C.F. Orr Stakes below!
Race 1 – Caulfield Betting Insights & Best Bets
The opening race at Caulfield is a competitive affair, with One Long Day looking well-placed to kick off proceedings with a win. The John Allen-ridden gelding brings strong form, having scored impressively at Flemington (1600m) two starts ago before a narrow second at Sandown last time. Dropping down in grade, he holds a class edge and maps well from barrier 4.
Bar Dubai is the X-factor in the race, resuming from a spell for the Price/Kent stable after showing promise overseas. His trial form has been sharp, and connections have lofty ambitions for this UK import.
For punters chasing value, Thunder Point is one to watch at long odds. He was competitive in the Koroit Cup (1700m) and should enjoy a fresh run back to the mile.
Best to Back: 🏆
✅ One Long Day ($4.20) – Rock-solid form, proven at the trip, and well-drawn.
Best Value: 💰
🎯 Thunder Point ($46.00) – Capable of surprising with a strong run fresh.
Race 2 – Caulfield Betting Insights & Best Bets
The second race at Caulfield is an open 2000m contest, with several chances looking to stamp their staying credentials. Mannerheim is a horse on the up for Chris Waller, and after a solid effort over 1800m at Flemington, he should enjoy the step back up in trip. His late-closing style suggests he’ll be charging home.
Inevitable Award profiles as the main danger, dropping back to 2000m after struggling slightly over 2100m at Sandown. His strong win two starts ago at Flemington proves he has the class to take this out.
For value seekers, Perfect Play makes appeal. A front-runner who almost stole the race at Sandown last start, he’ll take some running down if left alone in the lead.
Best to Back: 🏆
✅ Inevitable Award ($5.00) – Well placed at this trip and in strong form.
Best Value: 💰
🎯 Perfect Play ($4.80) – Will roll forward and prove hard to catch.
Race 3 – Caulfield Betting Insights & Best Bets
A tricky staying contest over 2000m, with Berkshire Breeze looking to bounce back from a disappointing Caulfield Cup run. Ciaron Maher’s stayer resumes off two sharp jumpouts, and while he’ll improve over further, he has enough class to be competitive fresh. Expect him to roll forward and make his presence felt.
Shaiyhar is the main danger, coming off a strong Flemington win, where he finished best in a sit-and-sprint affair. He’s found form and can go on with it here under Craig Williams.
For those chasing value, Touristic is an intriguing knockout chance. His first-up effort at Wyong can be forgiven, and he has strong form around Group 1 performers from last prep. He’s much better suited here and could surprise.
Best to Back: 🏆
✅ Shaiyhar ($5.50) – In form and suited at this trip.
Best Value: 💰
🎯 Touristic ($5.00) – Has the class and is much better placed here.
Race 4 – Caulfield Caulfield Betting Insights & Best Bets
A competitive 2YO contest over 1100m, with plenty of untapped potential among these juveniles. Aleppo Pine was ultra-impressive on debut at Ballarat Cup Day, winning with arrogance. Trained by James Cummings, he’s been kept fresh for this with an eye on bigger targets, and his sharp jumpout suggests he’s ready to fire again.
Field of Play presents as the main danger after a dominant debut win at The Valley (1200m). He brings race fitness and experience, and with Blake Shinn in the saddle from barrier five, he’ll be launching late.
For value seekers, Menshevik is worth considering. He ran greenly on debut but wasn’t disgraced behind some smart types. With natural improvement and a strong stable behind him, he’s a knockout chance at odds.
Best to Back: 🏆
✅ Aleppo Pine ($2.60) – Classy type, huge debut win, trial form is elite.
Best Value: 💰
🎯 Menshevik ($20.00) – Plenty of upside, could improve sharply second-up.
Race 5 – Caulfield Caulfield Betting Insights & Best Bets
A highly competitive 2YO Fillies contest where My Gladiola will start a hot favourite after an impressive debut win. The current Blue Diamond favourite showed serious acceleration in the Preview and has two strong jumpout wins to back it up. The query is whether she’ll handle the quick two-week turnaround and the wide draw (barrier 12).
Gin Spirit looks great each-way value, coming off a dominant debut win at Morphettville where she showed a turn of foot without being fully tested. She’s with Team Hayes, and this will be a great test of her true ability.
For roughies, Odessa is one to watch. She was thrown in the deep end on debut in the Maribyrnong Trial but looked green and in need of experience. A strong jumpout since suggests she’s come back much sharper.
Best to Back: 🏆
✅ My Gladiola ($1.95) – The Blue Diamond favourite, hard to knock.
Best Value: 💰
🎯 Gin Spirit ($12.00) – Big upside, could cause a boilover.
Race 6 – Caulfield Caulfield Betting Insights & Best Bets
A high-class sprint over 1100m, where Maharba resumes after a terrific effort in the G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m), flashing home behind Overpass. His sharp trial at Cranbourne suggests he’s ready to fire fresh, and from barrier five, he should get every chance to land his fifth career win.
Insurrection is the main danger, boasting back-to-back trial wins and a strong first-up record. He’s a speed machine, and with Blake Shinn booked, he’ll be in this for a long way.
For value hunters, Band of Brothers is worth a look. He loomed to win last start at Sandown Lakeside but just couldn’t quite finish it off. Dropping back in trip, he’ll be fitter and ready to pounce at odds.
Best to Back: 🏆
✅ Maharba ($3.80) – Classy sprinter, form around Overpass is elite.
Best Value: 💰
🎯 Band of Brothers ($9.50) – In-form and could strike dropping in trip.
Race 7 – Caulfield Caulfield Betting Insights & Best Bets
A quality 1400m contest, where Angel Capital looks the one to beat. The McDonald-trained colt has a great first-up record (3 wins, 2 first-up) and boasts Group 3-winning form over this track and trip. He’s been kept fresh for a strong autumn campaign and should get the perfect run from barrier six.
Plymouth is an intriguing runner, resuming from a spell and blinkers go on for the first time. He’s been a victim of slow tempos in previous runs, but with a positive ride from barrier one, he could settle closer and bounce back in a big way.
For value punters, Jenni The Fox is a live roughie. Her maiden win at Cranbourne was seriously impressive, making up a stack of ground late before being eased down near the post. She’s untapped and could measure up at odds.
Best to Back: 🏆
✅ Angel Capital ($3.00) – Classy colt, unbeaten first-up, well-placed.
Best Value: 💰
🎯 Jenni The Fox ($15.00) – Electrifying last-start win, can surprise.
Race 8 – Caulfield Wagering Analysis & Best Bets
A wide-open 1600m contest, where Howgoodareyou looks set to improve sharply second-up. She got too far back first-up at Flemington, but her late splits were strong, suggesting the extra 200m suits perfectly. Grahame Begg’s mare has plenty of upside, and this looks a winnable race.
Windstorm is an each-way standout, coming off a massive run last Saturday when caught three-wide the trip in a track-record race. He gets a softer draw (barrier 3) and will be hitting the line hard late.
For value punters, Warmonger is a big watch at $17.00. He’s got serious class, mixing it with Caulfield Cup-level company last prep. If he’s ready to go fresh, he could cause a real boilover.
Best to Back: 🏆
✅ Windstorm ($8.00) – Racing in great form, maps well, ready to win.
Best Value: 💰
🎯 Warmonger ($17.00) – Drops massively in grade, strong late.
Race 9 – Caulfield Preview, Insights & Best Bets
The feature race of the day sees Mr Brightside return, looking to add another Caulfield 1400m victory to his resume. The 8-time Group 1 winner has won this race before, and his trial form suggests he’s ready to fire first-up. He’s drawn wide, but with Craig Williams aboard, expect him to be in the right spot when it matters.
Another Wil looks the biggest danger, boasting a sensational first-up record (5 from 6). He was gutsy in the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes, just getting nabbed late, and has drawn perfectly in barrier three. He’ll get a gun run and be strong late.
For value hunters, Private Life is an interesting runner. The Chris Waller-trained Caulfield Guineas winner resumes here instead of tackling the Newmarket Handicap, suggesting the Australian Guineas is the goal. His Sydney trials have been electric, and he could cause an upset fresh.
Best to Back: 🏆
✅ Mr Brightside ($2.50) – The proven champ, too classy at this trip.
Best Value: 💰
🎯 Private Life ($9.00) – Trialled superbly, set for a big prep.
Race 10 – Caulfield Insights & Best Bets
A speedy 1100m sprint wraps up the card, with Arabian Summer looking to bounce back from a luckless third in the Sunlight Stakes. She got too far back and copped interference, but once clear, she closed powerfully. With a clean run, she’ll be right in the finish.
Rich Dottie is a live chance first-up, boasting a 2-from-2 record fresh. She bolted in over 1000m when resuming last prep, and her jumpouts suggest she’s ready to fire.
For value seekers, Reluctantlycharmed offers big each-way appeal at $17.00. She was dominant down the Flemington straight, coming from off the speed to score impressively. This is tougher, but she keeps raising the bar and could run a big race.
Best to Back: 🏆
✅ Arabian Summer ($4.00) – Classy filly, luckless last start, ready to win.
Best Value: 💰
🎯 Reluctantlycharmed ($17.00) – Big win last start, still improving.
Colossalbet understands the ramifications of gambling beyond your means and has implemented various safeguards to protect our clients and their interests.
Colossalbet works with Gambling Help Online to offer assistance to anyone who is directly or indirectly affected by gambling.
If your gambling has become problematic or the behaviour of a loved one has become a concern, Gambling Help Online offers a range of free support and counselling services about problem gambling in a variety of languages and in a safe and anonymous environment.
You can contact Gambling Help Online at any time for free and confidential advice and support by:
Calling 1800 858 858.
Visiting their website https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/
Leave a Reply