Party time: Blaike McDougall eyes Group 1 upset in 2025 CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield

Jockey Blaike McDougall may need only one ride to make an impression at Caulfield on Saturday, with Steparty poised for an upset in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m).

Steparty (no.2), ridden by Blaike McDougall, heads to the barriers for the Group 2 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley last month. Picture: Brett Holburt / Racing Photos

Jockey Blaike McDougall may need only one ride to make an impression at Caulfield on Saturday, with Steparty poised for an upset in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m).

Fresh off a successful two-week working holiday to Malaysia, where he rode two doubles in three meetings, McDougall expects Steparty to figure in the finish on Saturday.

Steparty returned from a six-week freshen up last month with an eye-catching second place in the Group 2 Australia Stakes.

“His run was probably better than what it looked, although visually it looked great,” McDougall said.

“He was back following a benchmark horse, well out of the race and had no cart in, he had to bring himself into the race and balance around the corner at The Valley … he wasn’t entitled to finish the way he did.

“It just shows you how well he’s going and how nice of a horse he is, he had no favours at The Valley and still ran very creditably, from that favourable draw Saturday I’d imagine he’ll have the run of the race.”

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Multiple Group 1-winner Mr Brightside is favourite to go back-to-back first-up in the CF Orr Stakes.

“He’s a champion, we just have to hope he’s a bit vulnerable first-up,” McDougall said.

“If we’re going to try and beat a horse like that’s it’s probably first-up while we have a fitness edge.”

Steparty, trained by Paul Preusker, raced consistently last spring and placed in four straight starts including the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Craig Williams notches up his SEVENTH Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes aboard Kimochi, getting the better of Another Wil in a narrow finish 😎#TheWrappic.twitter.com/vkSkTmyCCR

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 16, 2024

• Jett Hatton’s CF Orr Stakes tips, runner-by-runner form assessment

McDougall has ridden the four-year-old gelding the past three starts.

“He’s very deserving (of another win) and we feel as though he isn’t far off recapturing some of his older form, albeit his form the last few runs has been in better races than when he was winning,” McDougall said.

“I think he’s going as well as ever, he’s a lovely animal, very genuine, bombproof, he’s a lovely ride, he just bounces and travels, he makes our job a bit easier.

“I’m lucky to be associated with him and hopefully we can go one better Saturday in a nice race.”

Jockey Blaike McDougall is hoping for a Group 1 breakthrough aboard Steparty in Saturday’s CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Vince Caligiuri / Getty Images

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Another Wil (three) and Steparty (four) fared best in barriers for the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes with Schwarz (seven) and Mr Brightside (eight) wider in the 10-horse field.

McDougall has rides at Albury and Canberra on Thursday and Friday respectively before the Group 1 mission at Caulfield.

Originally published as Party time: Blaike McDougall eyes Group 1 upset in 2025 CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield