Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller is giving D’Argento a great chance to score a first up victory in the 2019 Group 1 $500,000 Ladbrokes C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
D’Argento, above, is primed for a good first up performance in the 2019 C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Steve Hart.
D’Argento is having his first run back since finishing sixth to his super star stablemate Winx in the Group 1 $5m Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley during the 2018 Melbourne Spring Carnival and will jump from the inside gate in the fifteen horse C.F. Orr Stakes field.
The 2018 Rosehill Guineas winner has had two barrier trials in Sydney in preparation for his return to the race track and is ready for the 1400m first up.
“He’s had two trials in Sydney and trialled pretty well,” Waller told racing.com.
“He’s always been a pretty good horse but he’s had a lot against him.
“He drew wide in the Doncaster and had no luck and in the Randwick Guineas, he drew the outside and had no luck.
“He can win the race (Orr Stakes). Obviously 1400m is right on the short end of his distance range so that’s my only concern but if he jumps and travels well, he’ll let down strongly.”
Waller will also saddle up two times Group 1 winner Shillelagh in the C.F. Orr Stakes but the mare will have to overcome a wide barrier draw if she is to figure in the finish.
“Obviously, she runs better at Flemington and The All-Star Mile is an obvious target if she gets enough votes. The other option is the Australian Cup,” Waller said.
“From the draw, she just needs to find some cover and she’ll be ratting home late.”
Shillelagh claimed her second Group 1 win in the $500,000 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington during the 2018 Melbourne Spring Carnival and then had one more run before a spell for a fifth in the Group 1 $2m Seppelt Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
Kerrin McEvoy rides D’Argento who is marked at $10 at Ladbrokes.com.au for the C.F. Orr Stakes while Ben Melham takes the mount on Shillelagh who is a $15 chance.
The James Cummings trained Kementari is the $3.40 favourite for the C.F. Orr Stakes ahead of Land Of Plenty at $5.50 and Whispering Brook at $7.
