Seven Group 1 winners, including the winners of last year’s Cox Plate (2040m), Victoria Derby (2500m) and Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), feature among a select list of entries for Saturday’s Group 1 Sportingbet C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Danny O’Brien’s star three-year-old Shamus Award could return to the races for the first Victorian Group 1 feature of 2014, potentially providing punters with their first glimpse of the horse since he sensationally broke his maiden in October’s Cox Plate.
Fairytale colt Polanski, a $4000 yearling buy who claimed the Group 1 Victoria Derby for Robbie Laing during the spring, is also expected to kick-off a campaign aimed at adding the Group 1 ATC Derby (1400m) to his growing list of triumphs.
A trio of Chris Waller-trained gallopers, including dual Group 1 hero Foreteller, one-time BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) favourite Hawkspur and recent stable acquisition Sizzling, feature in the potential line-up for which entries have been extended until 10am Tuesday.
Adding intrigue to the potential final field are popular Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) winner Sertorius, untapped Bart and James Cummings-trained colt Eurozone and consistent sprinter Moment Of Change, Group 1 placed at his last three starts.
While the Orr Stakes carries top billing on Caulfield’s feature-packed nine-race program, the Group 3 Sportingbet Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) for the colts and geldings looms as another obvious highlight.
Current TAB Blue Diamond favourite Rubick, a debut winner at Randwick for Gerald Ryan and Brenton Avdulla, is expected to make his much-anticipated Melbourne debut as is the Gai Waterhouse-trained Wanted colt Francesco.
Team Hawkes’ blueblood Nostradamus is set to reappear after an effortless Flemington debut on 18 January, as is Mark Kavanagh’s leading Diamond hope Chivalry who has enjoyed some time in the paddock following his stunning Moonee Valley win on 28 December.
Other juveniles of note among the 23 entries for the race include Robbie Laing’s Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) winner Boomwaa, unbeaten South Australian galloper Duckworth, Darley’s impressive debut winner Mohave and Jabali, out of the astute Mick Price yard.
Darley filly Earthquake commands the most attention in the fillies division of the Blue Diamond Prelude after a stunning Randwick debut in November.
A narrow runner-up in a Cranbourne trial last week, the daughter of Exceed And Excel is one of 12 entries for the race that has also attracted the likes of last-start Listed winner Eloping, Stakes-winning filly Golconda and exciting daughter of Denman, Piacenza.
The $175,000 Rubiton Stakes (1100m), to be run at Group 2 level for the first time on Saturday, has attracted a list of entries indicative of its status upgrade.
The exciting Mick Price-trained pair of Lankan Rupee and Lion Of Belfort headline Victorian interest in the race alongside new stablemate, former star Western Australian sprinting mare Power Princess.
Stakes-winning Queenslander Better Than Ready could begin another preparation aimed at Melbourne’s feature Group 1 summer-autumn sprints on Saturday, while consistent South Australian speedster Pock Rockets is also prominent in the 11 nominations.
The $222,750 Hyland Race Colours Autumn Stakes (1400m) also carries Group 2 status and, in addition to dual nominees Polanski and Eurozone, has attracted entries from unbeaten Mick Kent-trained duo Accord and Pyrollic, as well as Victoria Derby third placegetter Thunder Fantasy.
Other highlights on the Caulfield Family Day card that kicks off Relaxed Racing are the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) for the three-year-old fillies, the Group 3 Herald Sun Carlyon Cup (1600m) and the Group 3 Programmed Property Services Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) for the mares.
– Racing Victoria
