Golden Rose winning colt Jacquinot has been named the official 2023 Ladbrokes C.F. Orr Stakes winner after a successful protest to relegate first past the post, Gentleman Roy, into second in the year’s opening Group 1 race down under.

Star colt Jacquinot won the 2023 C.F. Orr Stakes on protest. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) trained Rubick colt Jaquinot was originally second over the line in a thrilling finish to this year’s Group 1 $750,000 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m).

A successful protest by his jockey Damian Lane however saw him elevated to the winner’s stall, while the Ben & JD Hayes-trained Gentleman Roy lost his first Group 1 just minutes after leading all-the-way in the weight-for-age feature.

It was a tight finish in the Orr with Lane moving up the middle between horses to originally finish a close second behind the Mark Zahra-ridden winner.

Lane however called for the protest having suffered a bump right near the line and it was upheld by the stewards.

The $4.5 million The All-Star Mile is still calling for Gentleman Roy who was terrific holding off a charge of class rivals in a career best performance in the Orr prior to losing on protest.

Zhara meanwhile lost the title of back-to-back wins having taken it out last year on Tofane before handing back the 2023 trophy he originally claimed for the Lindsay Park stable.

Despite the official C.F. Orr Stakes result So You Think six-year-old Gentleman Roy still showed great tenacity in his continued rise through the grades for the stable.

Gentleman Roy had the fitness edge having won the Listed Barton Stakes (1400m) at the Sandown Hillside track on Australia Day fresh with 59.5kg.

He made his own luck on-speed in the Orr for a star performance to narrowly deny Golden Rose winning colt Jacquinot victory right on the line before their positions were reversed.

“He’s a remarkable horse he was there to be beat and he fought off some really good horses there,” co-trainer JD Hayes told Racing.com before the protest was announced.

“He’s just as brave as the day is long.”

The CF Orr Stakes trifecta was rounded out by the in-form Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Nugget.

Brilliant fresh ahead of tougher targets running fourth was the returning Cox Plate runner-up I’m Thunderstruck, the Lindsay Park team were also impressed with the run from the back by Mr Brightside who made up all the ground late.

“I thought (Mr) Brightside was brilliant too,” Hayes added.

“He’s really in for a nice prep.”

Mr Brightside is currently ranked fifth in 2023 All-Star Mile voting order with Jacquinot 15th and Gentleman Roy likely to have boosted his chances of running in the weight-for-age feature at Moonee Valley on March 18.

Current all-in All-Star Mile odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au – available in full here – have I’m Thunderstruck on top at $5 while Gentleman Roy is into a $15 chance and Jacquinot is just shorter at $12.

2023 Ladbrokes C.F. Orr Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.