The 2022 Autumn Racing Carnival officially gets underway this Saturday with the first of 32 Group 1’s, the C.F. Orr Stakes, taking place at Caulfield.
Eight Group 1 winners will take their place in the field of 12, headlined by dual Group 1 winner I’m Thunderstruck and Caulfield specialist, Behemoth.
Impressive Irish import Sinawann has opened as the early favourite in Ladbrokes betting ahead of his second run back, while trainer Michael Moroney has a chance to win the race for the second time in three years with the always consistent Tofane.
If you’re looking for detailed analysis on every horse, be sure to read our 2022 C.F. Orr Stakes Preview below.
I’m Thunderstruck
A year is a long time in racing.
This time last year I’m Thunderstruck had just won his maiden on debut at Caulfield, and little did anyone know he’d return in the spring to win both the Group 1 Toorak Handicap and the $7.5 million Golden Eagle back-to-back.
The boom four-year-old steps out in search of his hat-trick on Saturday and rates as one of the major chances behind an unblemished 2-0 record first-up.
The son of Shocking has missed a place only once from four starts over 1400m, but there is a slight question mark over his fitness after receiving only one jump out in the leadup.
Cascadian
Just like stablemate Colette, Godolphin are also eying a spot in next month’s All-Star Mile with talented galloper Cascadian.
The British import finally claimed an elusive Group 1 last year when he took out the Doncaster Mile at Randwick, and he came very close to adding another when third in the Kennedy Cantala, and runner-up to Zaaki in the Mackinnon Stakes during the spring.
Hugh Bowman thought he trailed well at Randwick last month despite finishing second-last, while the seven-year-old also warrants respect with a strong record over 1400m.
How he handles Caulfield – a track he’s struggled on in the past – looks to be one of the main queries.
Behemoth
Behemoth presents fitter second-up after resuming at Morphettville two weeks ago where he was the beaten odds-on favourite in the Listed Durbridge Stakes.
He’s worth forgiving on that run after racing three-wide, no cover, and he should appreciate getting back to Caulfield where he’s won three Group 1’s over the track and trip – including last year’s Memsie Stakes.
The Daivd Jolly-trained six-year-old boasts an equally impressive record second-up, and the added class of Jamie Kah in the saddle will only strengthen his chances.
Wild Planet
Wild Planet strips fitter second-up following a complete forgive run at The Valley two weeks ago in the Australia Stakes.
The Hawkes-trained six-year-old was caught wide in transit and checked down the straight, leaving him with way too much work to do in the finish.
The good news is he tends to do his best work second-up, while he also knows how to cash a cheque over 1400m with four wins and three placings to his name from 11 starts.
The son of Animal Kingdom has placed only once from five starts at Group 1 level, but he could sneak into the money with the in-form Damien Thornton steering from an ideal draw.
Secret Blaze
Secret Blaze returns from a spell and looks out of his depth against some of these.
The six-year-old by Sizzling has made only one start at Group 1 level in the past and warrants consideration over much further.
Just Folk
Just Folk is having his second run back and is capable of more than his first-up performance suggests.
The son of Magnus found himself too far back when he finished down the straight in the Australia Stakes at The Valley, but he did show he’s up to running a race at this level when only a length sixth to Superstorm in the Cantala Stakes during the spring.
The winkers come off for the first time, and he does have the runs on the board over 1400m. Worth consideration in exotics.
Sinawann
Irish import Sinawann has been impressive since arriving in Australia, running sixth on debut at Flemington in the Chatham Stakes before winning the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan with plenty in hand over the track and distance.
He’s since resumed to run an eye-catching runner-up to Marabi in the Australia Stakes at The Valley a few weeks ago, a performance he can only improve on out over further.
His form around the likes of Armory and the world’s other top horses makes him a live chance in a race like this, and he’s drawn to get a lovely run off the pace under Craig Williams.
Tofane
Tofane is a proven customer over 1400m after winning the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap and the Tatt’s Tiara over the trip last winter in Brisbane.
The Michael Moloney-trained mare has performed well at Caulfield in the past, but she typically takes a run or two to really warm up.
Mark Zahra steers from barrier 8, and given her resume, a place would not surprise.
Sierra Sue
Sierra Sue is looking to add another Group 1 to her resume over 1400m at Caulfield.
The Kiwi mare was the surprise winner of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over the track and distance last September where she beat home some impressive horses like I’m Thunderstruck, Behemoth, and Probabeel.
She’s gone up big odds once again, and while a repeat performance looks tough, she does look a serious each-way chance with two wins to her name fresh.
Inspirational Girl
Inspirational Girl hasn’t been seen at the races since she finished 2.5L fifth to Behemoth in the Memsie Stakes last August.
Nothing really went right for her during the spring as she was transferred to Danny O’Brien’s stable, and then scratched from the Makybe Diva Stakes with an elevated temperature.
All reports suggest she’s back to full health, and although she boasts an impressive first-up record, it’s likely she’s in need of the run.
Lighthouse
Lighthouse brings winning form into her first start at the elite level.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained mare has won four of her last five starts, and she could not have been more impressive two runs back at Flemington when she gapped her rivals by over a length in the Listed Chester Manifold.
She was far from disgraced over the track and trip on Australia Day in the Barton Stakes, and she does look to have a bit of a fitness edge over some of her rivals.
This is a big step up, but a top four finish isn’t out of the question.
Lightsaber
Lightsaber can take big improvement away from his first-up run when fourth in the Australia Stakes at The Valley.
The lightly-raced Zoustar colt was impressive as a two-year-old last year, most notably winning the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce over 1400m at Flemington, before returning in the spring to win the Caulfield Guineas Prelude over the track and trip.
He was far from disgraced in the Guineas a few weeks later and has done the job second-up in the past.