CF Orr Stakes Review 2026: What The Jockeys Said

Shadhavar and Kerrin McEvoy gave trainer Tom Dabernig his first solo Group 1 in the Sportsbet C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Sandown, beating Pericles by three-quarters of a length with Jimmysstar third. Here’s what the jockeys said.

It is always important to hear what the jockeys say after the race, as you can forgive a horse’s bad run or even find a winner next start, so head to the post-race comments below.

BEIWACHT (James McDonald) – 6th

He just looked after himself in the conditions. He just didn’t stretch out at all. Just on the top of the hill where it is really soft, he was just looking after himself.

WAR MACHINE (Mark Zahra) – 5th

Went ok. Every hope.

SPLASH BACK (Jordan Childs) – 4th

Happy with her. We have a nice enough run in transit. Got a good cart into the race. Did quicken well and just peaked late.

JIMMYSSTAR (Ethan Brown) – 3rd

Honest enough run from him as per normal but I just felt with Pericles outside him, he worried him out of it a little bit. He didn’t respect (appreciate) racing inside of runners today.

PERICLES (Craig Williams) – 2nd

He was great in defeat. The winner is just flying. My horse had a great preparation, and my horse has had a great preparation into it. Dominated a race the other day. Comes down here, presented, had a great run from the outside barrier. Gave himself every chance but the winner was too good for us.

SHADHAVAR (Kerrin McEvoy) – 1st

That was really exciting. I was pleased to get the ride on her and well done to Joe. He and Tom have been having a great run, and it was nice to get the call-up to come down. They decided to have a crack at the stumps here with this mare, who’s in great form, and when Joe rang, I was more than happy to come. I had a few rides at home, but I came down thinking she had a live chance. She got it right. She jumped well, got a nice spot, and really relished those conditions.

Tom gave me good confidence. He said, “Look, if you get the first half right, just let her use her action.” And it was her first run at Sandown, but she was up and outside Beiwacht pretty early, as we approached the 400, and he didn’t really sort of take me anywhere.

And I said, ‘well, I’m off and home, going for home here now.’ So, I let her stride, and she loved that ground. She loved the uphill finish, and she did the rest. So good, bold bit of training and placement by Tom and Joe, they’ve done a great job.

It’s exciting for them. They’ve been doing a fantastic job. Joe selects quality horses for nice parcels of money. He doesn’t go for the big stuff and he’s been having a great run. They’ve been winning races left, right, and centre.

I think it might be Tom’s first group one on his own. I’ve known Tom since I was an apprentice back in our Lindsay Park days and haven’t ridden for Tom on his own for or since he’s gone out on his own, haven’t ridden for him. So, it’s really pleasing to get this win for him.