Caulfield hosts the opening Group 1 of the autumn season, the CF Orr S., on Saturday, and its undercard boasts plenty of action as well, with the 2-year-olds taking the next step towards the Feb. 25 G1 Blue Diamond S. in two divisions of the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude over 1100 metres.
In the fillies' division, the unbeaten Catchy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) is given a slight edge in the betting over Limestone (Aus) (Helmet {Aus}). Catchy had Limestone back in third when winning on debut at Moonee Valley on Sept. 12, and she added a plate race over this course and distance on Jan. 7, besting the subsequent G3 Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) winner Property (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}) by 2 1/2 lengths. Limestone has since come back to win the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (fillies division) on Jan. 26. Another well-bred Fastnet Rock filly in the lineup is Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum's Roomooz (Aus). The daughter of Group 3 winner and multiple Group 1-placed Pane in the Glass (Aus) (Testa Rossa {Aus}), a A$480,000 Inglis Easter yearling, won her lone start at Morphettville on Jan. 7.
The colts' and geldings' division will see Property face off with 'TDN Rising Star' Pariah (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), winner of the G3 Canonbury S. on debut on Jan. 28 for James Harron's colts syndicate. Cao Cao (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) is getting some attention in the betting as he returns 77 days after breaking his maiden at Moonee Valley, but he did win a Caulfield jump out on Jan. 31. Godolphin's Marsupial (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) drops back in trip off a debut 1200 metre win at Canterbury on Jan. 20.
The G2 Rubiton S. on the same card features the return of champion sprinter Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}); 'TDN Rising Star' El Divino (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}); and last season's G1 Myer Classic winner I Am A Star (NZ) (I Am Invincible {Aus}).
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