Horse Racing

The Melbourne Festival of Racing will officially get underway at Caulfield Racecourse this Saturday, February 11, with a bumper nine-race, eight-black-type program running for CF Orr Stakes Day 2012.

Black Caviar will be the headline attraction at CF Orr Stakes Day 2012 this Saturday

Of course the race, or more accurately horse, that the fans will be turning up in droves to see is Black Caviar.

Our undefeated turf queen will be shooting for win No. 18 in the $400,000 Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m), running Caulfield Race 6 at 3:50pm.

She faces what looks to be her toughest test to date stepping up to the 1400m for the first time and coming up against a crack field of eight quality competitors including Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed and smart Perth visitor Playing God.

Still, the doubters are few and far between with Black Caviar opening odds-on at $1.04 in the CF Orr Stakes odds at Luxbet.

There is plenty of other top racing action for the fans and punters to enjoy at Caulfield this Saturday including the two Blue Diamond Preludes.

Of the two $125,000 Group 3 events run over 1100m, it is the fillies that looks to be the stronger of the two.

Current 2012 Blue Diamond Stakes betting favourite Malasun ($6 Luxbet) will look to keep her claims for the $1 million series bonus on track when she comes up against the likes of Anthony Cummings’ Diamond Earth, the Peter Snowden-trained Applegate and the fellow Mick Price-prepared Samaready.

The Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts & Geldings) is actually the opening stakes race on the Caulfield card for Saturday, a somewhat disappointing field of eight to stake their claims including Snowden’s Rusambo and the Danny O’Brien-trained Cambiaso who look the top two in the betting.

Before the CF Orr Stakes steals the spotlight, races four and five are worth a look in with a field full of 2012 Australian Cup-bound stayers including the Lloyd Williams-owned Green Moon and another WA raider Ranger running in the $125,000 Carlyon Cup (1600m) in the fourth.

Caulfield Race 5 is the $180,000 Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at 3:10pm where Snowden’s Group 1 TJ Smith winner Benfica leads a smart field of three-year-olds, many heading towards the 2012 Australian Guineas at Flemington in March, including Victoria Derby third placegetter Sabrage and Peter Moody’s Caulfield Guineas third placed Huegill.

After the CF Orr don’t tune out as three more stakes races will bring the day to a close with the $125,000 Group 3 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) featuring Karuta Queen, the $100,000 Listed Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) where boom Kiwi filly Anabandana makes her Aussie debut, and final the $125,000 Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m).

See below for the complete 2012 C.F. Orr Stakes Day program, field and race times so you don’t miss a minute of the action.

For all the hottest Caulfield racing odds this Saturday, including those for Black Caviar next race, head straight to our preferred online bookmaker Luxbet and open a new account depositing and quoting the promo code BONUSBET to also enjoy a $400 bonus bet!

2012 CF Orr Stakes Day Race Schedule & Fields

Caulfield Racecourse – 11/02/2012

Race 1 – 12:50pm BWM Melbourne Handicap (1800m)

Race 2 – 1:25pm Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Prelude C&G (1100m)

Race 3 – 2:00pm Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Prelude F (1100m)

Race 4 – 2:35pm Catanach’s Jewellers Carlyon Cup (1600m)

Race 5 – 3:10pm Hyland Race Colours Autumn Stakes (1400m)

Race 6 – 3:50pm Sportingbet C.F. Orr stakes (1400m)

Race 7 – 4:30pm Schweppes Rubiton Stakes (1100m)

Race 8 – 5:10pm Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m)

Race 9 – 5:50pm Programmed Property Services Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m)