WA mare over the odds in the G1 CF Orr Stakes says trainer
She’s facing a tough test against a high-caliber field, but trainer Dan Morton firmly believes his Perth mare Super Smink isn’t just there to fill out the numbers in her interstate debut this Saturday.
While Morton acknowledges the challenge ahead in the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, he remains confident in her ability to compete at a strong level despite her outsider status.
“I’m under no illusions about the task ahead of her,” Morton told Racing WA.
“There’s no hiding, but we’ll get a good measure on where she’s at.
“She is flying and I think she’s ready to let rip in the bigger races.
“We’re out to grab one of these Group 1s and it would look great on her page.
“I’m not sure if she can win, but I would be very disappointed if she wasn’t competitive at best.
“I would be surprised if she didn’t run well.”
The C.F. Orr Stakes is just the first stop in a three-race Group 1 campaign for Super Smink, which includes a return to Caulfield for the Futurity Stakes (1400m) and a major goal of earning a place in the All-Star Mile at Flemington next month.
The four-year-old enters the race after an outstanding run at last year’s Ascot carnival, where she delivered a powerful finish to claim victory in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m).
Three weeks later, she produced a remarkable performance in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m), finishing a fast-closing third behind Port Lockroy, one of four feature race placings across six starts during the Pinnacles campaign.
Morton is confident Super Smink is in peak condition for the C.F. Orr Stakes.
“She only had a couple of weeks off after the carnival at home,” Morton said.
“I don’t think she bottomed out or was overly taxed.
“She has residual fitness and is rock hard fit.”
Despite her impressive Perth form, Super Smink is considered a long shot in the elite C.F. Orr Stakes lineup, sitting at $34 with wagering apps.
Leading the betting markets is Mr Brightside from the Hayes stable, who is aiming to defend his Orr Stakes title and secure his ninth Group 1 triumph, currently priced at $2.40.
Other notable contenders include Schwarz, fresh off a win in the Australia Stakes (1200m), as well as proven Group 1 winners Pinstriped and Private Life.
Morton has enlisted Victorian jockey John Allen to ride Super Smink, with the pair set to jump from barrier five.
“I tend to pick riders that have ridden for me previously,” Morton said.
“John rode Buzzoom for me a couple of years ago with success.
“He got her home in the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m).
“Hopefully we are successful again on the weekend.”
A surprise victory in the Orr Stakes would push Super Smink’s career earnings close to $2 million—a remarkable return for a horse purchased for just $45,000 at the Magic Millions yearling sale.
Morton is no stranger to big-race success on both the national and international stages.
In 2009, he enjoyed a stellar year with top sprinter Scenic Blast, who secured a Group 1 treble with victories in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) and Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington before triumphing in the King’s Stand Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot.
His staying star Scenic Shot also made waves interstate, claiming Group 1 wins in the MacKinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington and the Doomben Cup (2020m) in Brisbane, capping off a stellar run in Queensland racing.
More Racing News
Ingham triumph puts Yorkshire in 2026 Doncaster Mile mix
Tom Charlton may have been only five years old when John O’Shea secured the 2000 Villiers Stakes, but on Saturday the duo jointly celebrated Yorkshire’s commanding victory in the modern equivalent, The Ingham (1600m), at Randwick. The triumph delivered O’Shea a fourth win in the prestigious race and marked Charlton’s first...
Weeping Woman too good in the 2025 Razor Sharp Handicap
Joe Pride’s team fired on all cylinders on Saturday, with six runners producing two wins, three seconds and a third across three states, including a dominant stable quinella in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap at Randwick. Weeping Woman ($2.60 fav) finished strongest to overhaul Coal Crusher ($6), only 35 minutes after...
Warnie flies late to win The Supernova 2025
With a composed ride inspired by Mark Zahra, jockey Thomas Stockdale steered Warnie to a breakthrough victory in the lucrative The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham. It was a signature moment for Stockdale, who delivered a tactically brilliant performance as the Ciaron Maher-trained runner stormed to victory in Southside Racing’s second slot...
Taramansour provides locals with a win in the Pakenham Cup 2025
Taramansour produced a remarkable form reversal to hand Phillip Stokes his first victory in the Pakenham Cup, delivering an emotional local triumph. Stokes, who splits his time between his Morphettville operation and his Pakenham base, has had the Cup on his radar since establishing himself at the training centre in 2019. On...
Bargain buy Where’s The Circus dominates 2025 Inglis Nursery
Jean Van Overmeire made the right call in giving up a full provincial book at Newcastle to focus on a single Randwick mount, with Where’s The Circus landing a stunning upset in the Inglis Nursery. The filly, picked up online for just $1250, had impressed Van Overmeire when winning a recent...
Yorkshire out to make a summer statement in 2025 The Ingham
John O’Shea’s first major breakthrough as a solo trainer came 25 years ago when Grey And Gold captured the Villiers Stakes. He added another victory with On A High and later won the race again in its rebranded form as The Ingham (1600m) in 2022 with Kirwin’s Lane. Now a decorated horseman...
Kris Lees sets sights on another summer strike
Kris Lees has frequently struck during Sydney’s summer feature program, and he will again field a strong hand across Randwick’s stakes races on Saturday. Lees’ achievements over the past decade include victories in The Ingham with Loch Eagle and Sense Of Occasion, as well as Razor Sharp Handicap wins with Special...
2025 Pakenham Cup: Browne’s roll the dice one more time
Emma-Lee and David Browne will “roll the dice” one more time with Statuario as they search for a fairytale hometown victory in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m). The Kiwi trainers shifted to Victoria in 2022 and settled into Pakenham last season, where a local Cup triumph would be particularly meaningful —...
Fox on the hunt of 2025 The Supernova win
Emma-Lee and David Browne will “roll the dice” one more time with Statuario as they search for a fairytale hometown victory in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m). The Kiwi trainers shifted to Victoria in 2022 and settled into Pakenham last season, where a local Cup triumph would be particularly meaningful —...
Warm weather suits Rey Magnerio in 2025 The Gold Rush
Trainer Robbie Griffiths is already turning his attention to next autumn’s The Quokka, believing Rey Magnerio’s successful transition to Perth makes a return visit highly likely. Before that, the gelding steps into Saturday’s Group 3 The Gold Rush (1400m), his second appearance in Western Australia. Griffiths said the gelding has adapted superbly...