Malaguerra firms into favouritism for 2017 C.F. Orr Stakes

DESPITE a wide barrier draw, Malaguerra is poised to jump as the favourite in Saturday’s Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield.

The five-year-old sprinter has won on two of his last three starts, including a first-up salute for 2017 in the Group 2 Browns Australia Stakes last month.

That field included the two-time Group 1 winner’s main rival for the Orr – the Darren Weir-trained Black Heart Bart.

The pair opened as joint $4 favourites at Sportsbet.com.au, but Malaguerra has moved into $3.80 while the other has held firm.

Lucky Hussler ($7.50) and Divine Prophet ($9.50) are the only other horses paying under $10 for the win in a market dominated by the two frontrunners.

“The two favourites will jump from the outside barrier in the Orr, but they remain the only horses punters want,” said Sportsbet’s Will Byrne.

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“Malaguerra has edged ahead in popularity, but there’s no guarantee he will stay on top as Black Heart Bart also has a lot of admirers.”

Preceding the Orr Stakes at Caulfield this weekend is the 1100m Rubiton Stakes, where Chautauqua is well backed to start 2017 with a bang.

The six-year-old grey has not raced since last October, when he finished seventh in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley.

But the bookies have pulled the five-time Group 1 winner into $2.50 to claim a second Rubiton title, with Hellbent and Wild Rain next best on $5 each.

Meanwhile, Winx has shortened to a mere $1.12 in the fixed win market for the Apollo Stakes at Randwick.

Now that Global Glamour is scratched, Hartnell – who finished eight lengths behind his arch-rival to run second in last year’s Cox Plate – is the closest challenger at $10.

Crown Oaks winner Lasqueti Spirit trails the market at $151.

1400m C.F. Orr Stakes betting

+280 – Malaguerra
+300 – Black Heart Bart
+650 – Lucky Hussler
+850 – Divine Prophet
+1000 – Ecuador
+1300 – He’s Our Rokkii
+1600 – Jameka
+1800 – Arod, Miss Rose De Lago, Palentino
+2000 – Turn Me Loose
+3000 – Awesome Rock

1100m Rubiton Stakes betting

+150 – Chautauqua
+400 – Hellbent, Wild Rain
+650 – El Divino
+1000 – I Am A Star
+1300 – Fast ‘n’ Rocking
+1500 – Super Cash
+2500 – Miss Promiscuity

1400m Apollo Stakes betting

-833.33 – Winx
+900 – Hartnell
+1700 – Dibayani
+3000 – Endless Drama
+3300 – Shiraz
+5000 – Leebaz
+8000 – Libran
+15000 – Ambience, Lasqueti Spirit, Magic Hurricane, Sacred Master

All markets provided by Sportsbet.com.au