We’re all set for the final Victorian Group 1 feature for the calendar year, and all eyes will be locked on Sandown for CF Orr Stakes Day.
Jimmysstar will be out to defend his crown against a quality field featuring the likes of Beiwacht, Angel Capital, Pericles and the in-form Shadhavar, while the Zipping Classic, Sandown Guineas and Thoroughbred Club Stakes add plenty of depth to the undercard.
You can find our Sandown tip sheet below, featuring our 2026 CF Orr Stakes best bets.
Ichnusa stamped himself as one to follow during a brief debut preparation that saw him record two victories from as many starts, including a nice 2000m race at Caulfield in July. While yet to strike in two runs back this season, he’s undoubtedly improved for each of them and kept his best work for late and through the line on Melbourne Cup Day. Fitter third up and out to the mile and a half, I think he’s perfectly placed this week.
| 12. Ichnusa (11) 57kg11×74 | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming eased back early on 7th of 10 in a Bm80 Grand Hcp at Caulfield on October 10 over 1700m, 3.5 len behind In’kantosstar carrying 57kg at $9.50. Last start 4th of 18 in a Bm80 at Flemington on November 3 over 2000m, slow going 3 len behind Yauson carrying 57kg at $5. Plenty of upside and should be very hard to beat up in trip. | |||
Karren returned a below-par effort at Cranbourne last time out, but I am happy to give her another chance on CF Orr Stakes Day. Prior to that performance, Karren had hardly put a hoof wrong, winning two of three starts and only just missing on the other occasion. In peak order this week, she gets the services of Jamie Melham and is down in the weights, and this looks a nice Saturday metro target for her, with appropriate luck from the wide alley.
| 12. Karren (12) 55kg1×214 | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start 4th of 9 in a F&M Bm70 at Cranbourne on October 23 over 1400m, 1.75 len behind Bajaria with 59kg at $1.80. The run before that favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 2 len in a Cl1 at Bendigo on October 4 over 1300m on a soft track defeating Shapenapit carrying 58kg at $1.45. Can improve again and atone. | |||
Grid Girl returns to action in a nice race at Sandown. We haven’t seen Grid Girl at the races since July, and it is fair to say that three-start preparation was below her best. That being said, she’s otherwise been a strong and consistent performer for the Lindsay Park team and was only just denied in Group 3 company back in February, while her fresh record is strong (5:2-0-1). Having turned in a couple of nice trial performances, she looks forward enough to win this week.
| 2. Grid Girl (2) 57kgx548x | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation eighth of 10 at Flemington Leilani Final July 4 over 1400m, soft track; 7 len behind Duchess Zou with 58.5kg at $12. First up last campaign fifth of 16 at this track Bm100 May 23 over 1400m, soft track; 3.5 len behind Meridius carrying 54.5kg at $21. Expecting a effective return. | |||
Oceana Dream has only missed placing twice in nine trips to the races since debuting, while he returned to action with a credible performance to finish within two lengths of the winner in BM78 company at Cranbourne a couple of weeks ago. With natural improvement for that hit-out and getting further out in trip, he’s further benefitted by Luke Cartwright’s claim, cutting a couple of kgs off topweight.
| 1. Oceana Dream (10) 60kg333×4 | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second run back. First-up after four months 4th of 10 in a Bm78 at Cranbourne on October 23 over 1600m, 1.5 len behind Nation’s Call carrying 59.5kg at $3.40. Previously second-up 3rd of 9 in a Bm84 at Caulfield on May 9 over 1600m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind Makdane with 56.5kg at $2.30. Fitter and looks a key hope. | |||
Harry Lime has only made four appearances at the races since debuting, but he won two of three starts during his debut prep and returned to action to fill the minors in the Listed Springtime Stakes on Melbourne Cup Day. With natural improvement and getting out to the mile, he should receive every opportunity in the run this week after drawing perfectly.
| 4. Harry Lime (4) 57kg1183 | |||
| Most recently sat on speed throughout when 3rd of 11 in the LR Amanda Elliott (Vrc Springtime Stakes) at Flemington on November 3 over 1400m, 1.4 len behind Ranarsson carrying 54kg at $9.50. The run before that from last on the turn 8th of 14 in the LR Michael Moroney (Exford Plate) at Flemington on September 12 over 1400m, 3 len behind Lara Antipova carrying 57kg at $9. An inside gate is a big advantage. Fitter now and sets up nicely. | |||
Having been freshened after recording consecutive victories over 1000m at Ballarat and down at Morphettville, Tennessee Spirit was sent off an $8 chance when resuming in the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat at Cranbourne three weeks away but kicked away to beat several well-fancied rivals with ease. I’m confident that run will have brought her right back on and from the good draw this week, and down in the weights, I think she’ll be right in the finish again.
| 10. Tennessee Spirit (6) 54kg14111 | |||
| On a three run winning streak. Last start raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 3 len in a Bm78 at Cranbourne on October 23 over 955m defeating Speir with 53.5kg at $7. The race before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.75 len in a Cl2 at Morphettville Parks on September 19 over 1000m defeating Madam Jeanette carrying 55kg at $2.90. Harder now but is speedy and will give a sight. | |||
Natural Fling has been excellent since debuting, and she returned to action in August with a dominant performance to win the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield, hitting the line more than four lengths ahead of her rivals. That run was followed up with another strong one to finish third, beaten a length in the Group 1 Moir Stakes amongst open company, importantly right here at Sandown. She was well beaten in what was her flattest performance to date in the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby Day, but putting a line through that run, she’s in peak order, will relish getting back here to Sandown and into a race with a turn.
| 2. Natural Fling (8) 57.5kgx1329 | |||
| Last start raced behind the speed prior to fading 9th of 13 in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on October 31 over 1200m, 4.5 len behind The Next Episode with 55kg at $7. Before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 11 in the G2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington on October 3 over 1100m, in the wet; long-neck behind The Next Episode with 56.5kg at $2.70. Well placed. Back in grade, can bounce back. | |||
Beiwacht tends to go to another level over 1400m and with that in mind, he’s the one for me in this year’s CF Orr Stakes field. Having broken through at the highest level in the 2025 edition of the Golden Rose, Beiwacht added the All Aged Stakes to his CV during this year’s Autumn Carnival before returning to action in late August to win the Memsie. While yet to strike again in three subsequent starts, he was tough when third in the Golden Eagle up at Randwick a fortnight ago and is boosted this week back to his pet trip, and with James McDonald jumping into the saddle.
| 5. Beiwacht (3) 59kgx1933 | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently led but faded 3rd of 16 in the G1 Golden Eagle at Randwick on October 31 over 1500m, 1.1 len behind Skyhook with 57.5kg at $8.50. The run before that set the pace for much of the race 3rd of 14 in the LR Silver Eagle at Randwick on October 17 over 1300m, on a slow track; 0.6 len behind Apocalyptic with 58.5kg at $2.40. At his preferred trip and will take plenty of catching. | |||
Juja Kibo has returned to action in career-best form this time and in my opinion, demands selection in this Zipping Classic field. He’s always been a stayer of immense talent, but the Belardo gelding hasn’t put a hoof wrong this time in, recording consecutive victories in The Metropolitan and Moonee Valley Gold Cup at Group 2 level before filling the minors of the Melbourne Cup at his latest. In peak order, anything close to those performances would see him too strong for this field as well.
| 5. Juja Kibo (1) 59kg32113 | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 23 in the G1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 3 over 3200m, slow going 4 len behind Point Of Law with 55kg at $14. Before that won by 0.5 len in the G2 Moonee Valley Cup at Flemington on October 24 over 2500m defeating Kings Valley carrying 58kg at $7.50. Very good in the Cup and back in trip no issue at all. | |||
She enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence via some dominant performances earlier this year, and while Concord Connie is yet to strike in three runs back this time, she’s undoubtedly improved noticeably with each, and she was last seen filling the minors in Group 1 company. In peak order this week and dropping in class, she’s yet ready to win.
| 4. Concord Connie (12) 56kg1×232 | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run made ground from midfield; 2nd of 11 in the G1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington on October 31 over 1600m, 1.5 len behind Lady Shenandoah with 56.5kg at $6.50. The run before that 3rd of 11 in the G2 Tristarc Stakes at Caulfield on October 17 over 1400m, 2.75 len behind Shadhavar with 55kg at $2.70. Outstanding in fast G1 latest, a repeat of that leaves these in her wake. | |||
Best – Race 7 No. 2 Natural Fling
Next Best – Race 9 No. 5 Juja Kibo
Value – Race 6 No. 10 Tennessee Spirit
