Post-race jockey reports from the 2025 CF Orr Stakes

This is what the jockeys had to say after the running of the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Ciaron Maher and Jamie Melham with Another Wil after he won the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: George Sal/Getty Images.

Another Wil pounced in the final few bounds to claim his maiden Group 1 win in the $750,000 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Another Wil stalked Mr Brightside in the run and overhauled the weight-for-age champ in the last few strides to win with Steparty in third.

Another Wil wins the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes!!!

Congratulations to all involved 👏@[e-mail]/SYT6kFQv8T

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 8, 2025

The victory was Another Wil’s ninth from 14 starts and took his earnings to more than $1.5 million.

Another Wil is a five-year-old gelding by Street Boss (USA) and is trained by Ciaron Maher.

This is what the riders thought of their mount’s performance in the CF Orr Stakes.

1st – ANOTHER WIL (Jamie Melham) There’s a God in racing…this horse has deserved it for so many starts, but to do it for Col after his birthday on Tuesday is just amazing. I know he’s watching down on us and Another Wil lifted for his dad. That was amazing. Did she think she was the winner a long way out? “No. I thought at the 200 he’s going to run another terrific second in a Group 1, but as soon as I switched the whip it’s just like he just picked up. He did that at Flemington, he hits a bit of a flat spot and doesn’t really (go) and you think he’s going to run a nice race, but then he just finds another leg. That was an amazing win. I don’t think I’m talking sense right now, this is just gibberish, but Col that’s for you. We love you.

2nd – MR BRIGHTSIDE (Craig Williams) So proud of his performance. There’s no hiding spots for him. We drew a wide gate. We used a bit of petrol to get a really nice run. He enjoyed the speed, he was tough and I think we got beaten by a really good horse today. He had a few more favours than us today and some divine intervention with Colin McKenna upstairs. I’m proud of him and he’s got more to come to as he was first-up but I was so proud of his performance today.

3rd – STEPARTY (Blaike McDougall) He’s becoming a model of consistency. He just came off the bridle midrace and was probably a bit flat from running so well at The Valley. He’s on track for the mile third-up. He’s going really well.

4th – PRIVATE LIFE (Damian Lane) He ran well. He’s come back in good order. Unfortunately he was down in what is not the A1 part of the track from barrier one, but he quickened nicely and he might have knocked up late, but I thought it was a good return and I think he’s got a nice race in him this autumn.

5th – SEMANA (Thomas Stockdale) Very happy with her run. We did want to be more prominent in running today but she does have a bit of a tendency last start and this start to jump just a little bit slow. The speed was good and she ran home strong.

6th – SOUTHPORT TYCOON (Mark Zahra) Travelled well, in a nice spot, got to the right part of the track but just didn’t finish off.

7th – SUPER SMINK (John Allen) I thought she ran well. We were well back, so I elected to stay in. She probably just peaked on her run with 100 metres to go.

8th – FREEDOM RALLY (Ethan Brown) I thought he ran well considering. His first go at Caulfield has brought him undone a bit, but once he balanced up his work through the line was really good. He’ll be better suited out to further. I think he is flying under the radar a little bit.

9th – PINSTRIPED (Ben Allen) Had to get too far back from the gate and he ended up seeing how far off them he was, he couldn’t be bothered. Everyone has an off day, including horses.

10th – SCHWARZ (Blake Shinn) On face value he was disappointing. He was just a bit above himself second-up today. We need him to relax a bit more going forward, but on face value, he was a bit plain.

Originally published as Post-race jockey reports from the 2025 CF Orr Stakes