Quality over quantity is the theme for the field of the 2023 Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes, set to be run on Saturday at Sandown Racecourse.
Despite there being only 10 acceptors for the first Australian Group 1 event of the year, seven of the 10 runners have claimed top-tier honours.
I'm Thunderstruck is arguably the class runner of the field, with last year's Cox Plate runner-up set to begin his autumn campaign in the C.F. Orr Stakes for the second-straight year. Having finished fifth in the race last year under Jye McNeil, Melbourne's leading jockey Jamie Kah has been booked to help kick off I'm Thunderstruck's campaign on a winning note.
Stablemate and last-start Group 3 Manfred Stakes winner Jacquinot looks to be one of the key challengers looking to knock off I'm Thunderstruck. Despite winning first-up by the barest of margins, the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr runner is expected to improve dramatically second-up when he steps up to the 1400m.
Coming off an eye-catching trial win at Geelong on January 31, Mr Brightside will be looking to add the C.F. Orr Stakes to his Doncaster Mile win during last year's autumn. With regular jockey Craig Williams taking the reins, he is sure to be given every chance over the Sandown 1400m.
Having claimed the Group 1 Toorak Handicap in the spring, Tuvalu is set to return to the racetrack for the first time since a breakthrough Spring Carnival which also saw him place in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Champions Mile.
Callsign Mav, Western Empire and Aegon are the three other Group 1 winners who will all be looking to bounce back into the winner's stall, having struggled in recent times in races not entirely suited to them.
Maddie Raymond's Turaath gains the services of Damien Oliver, with regular jockey Damian Lane opting to ride Jacquinot in Saturday's Group 1, while emerging middle-distance horses Nugget and Gentleman Roy have genuine claims.
Bovada has I'm Thunderstruck as a +260 favourite, while Jacquinot (+340), Tuvalu (+450), Gentleman Roy (+600) and Mr Brightside (+750) are the other runners under a double-figure quote in what shapes to be one of the more competitive versions of the C.F. Orr Stakes in recent times.
2023 C.F. Orr Stakes field
| No. | Silks | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | I'm Thunderstruck | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Jamie Kah | 9 | 59kg |
| 2 |  | Mr Brightside | Ben & JD Hayes | Craig Williams | 10 | 59kg |
| 3 |  | Tuvalu | Lindsey Smith | Jarrod Fry | 1 | 59kg |
| 4 |  | Callsign Mav | Danny O'Brien | Jamie Mott | 8 | 59kg |
| 5 |  | Western Empire | John Leek (Jnr) | Arron Lynch | 5 | 59kg |
| 6 |  | Aegon | Andrew Forsman | Michael Dee | 7 | 59kg |
| 7 |  | Gentleman Roy | Ben & JD Hayes | Mark Zahra | 3 | 59kg |
| 8 |  | Nugget | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | John Allen | 6 | 59kg |
| 9 |  | Turaath | Maddie Raymond | Damien Oliver | 2 | 57kg |
| 10 |  | Jacquinot | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Damian Lane | 4 | 55.5kg |