Australia: Sir Dragonet cuts back for return in C.F. Orr Stakes

Sir Dragonet, winner of the Group 1 Cox Plate in his debut in Australia in October and sixth in the Melbourne Cup on Nov. 3, will have his 2021 debut in Saturday’s Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne.

The $379,650 C.F. Orr Stakes is run at seven furlongs, shorter than the Cox Plate at about 1 1/4 miles or the two-mile Melbourne Cup, Australia’s most famous race. As of Thursday, Sir Dragonet was favored to win the C.F. Orr Stakes against nine rivals in what will be his first start in a sprint.

A winner of 3 of 11 starts in Europe and Australia, Sir Dragonet has never raced at a distance shorter than 1 1/4 miles. An Irish-bred 5-year-old, Sir Dragonet won the Chester Vase at Chester Racecourse in England in 2019 and was fifth in the Group 1 English Derby at Epsom when trained by Aidan O’Brien.

Sir Dragonet was transferred to Australian trainer Ciaron Maher and David Eustace last fall. In the Melbourne Cup, Sir Dragonet was beaten 3 1/2 lengths by Twilight Payment, trained by Aidan O’Brien’s son, Joseph.

The C.F. Orr Stakes is the first Group 1 race of 2021 in Australia and drew a strong field that includes Crosshaven, Imaging, and Streets of Avalon.

Crosshaven, a 3-year-old Australian-bred gelding, will have his first start against older horses in the Orr and first start since a win in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes at a mile on Oct. 31 at Flemington. Crosshaven is quick enough to lead.

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Imaging was a Group 2 winner at 7 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney last March, but is winless in his last seven appearances. Imaging was third of nine in the $702,600 Yes Yes Yes Stakes on Oct. 31 at Rosehill Gardens and has not raced since.

Streets of Avalon is in sharp form, having won the Group 2 Australia Stakes at six furlongs on Jan. 22 at Moonee Valley Racecourse, a victory that ended a nine-race losing streak since a win in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes at seven furlongs at Caulfield Racecourse last February.

The C.F. Orr Stakes is part of a nine-race program that includes eight group stakes. The Orr is the lone Group 1 race on the program. First post time is 8:40 p.m. Eastern, or 5:40 p.m. Pacific, on Friday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

The richest race in Australia on Saturday is the $1.51 million Inglis Millennium for Southern Hemisphere 2-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs at Royal Randwick, a sale progeny race. Profiteer, winner of a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs by 2 3/4 lengths on Dec. 12 at Flemington, was 4-5 in early betting Thursday.

Ole Kirk, winner of two Group 1 races for 3-year-olds in September and October, will be favored in the $759,400 Inglis Sprint at six furlongs at Randwick, the 3-year-old colt’s first start against older horses.

Ole Kirk was scratched from the Group 2 Expressway Stakes from Rosehill Gardens on Jan. 30 because of wet track conditions. Ole Kirk’s main rival in the Inglis Sprint is Dame Giselle, winner of three consecutive Group 2 races at six and seven furlongs last August and September. Dame Giselle has not started since a fourth in the Group 1 Flight Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile in October.

The Inglis Sprint is her first start outside of age restricted races.