Callsign Mav Looks to Return to Form in Orr

Trainer Danny O’Brien is hoping that Callsign Mav can put up a bold showing in the Feb. 11 AU$750,000 CF Orr Stakes (G1) at Sandown Racecourse as he bids to add another group 1 to the 6-year-old’s CV this autumn.

The New Zealand-bred gelding already has four elite-level victories, including the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (G1) at Caulfield last September, and O’Brien is happy with his preparation into Saturday's 1400-meter contest.

“He came over as a warrior. He had already won a couple of group 1’s in New Zealand and he has been terrific here,” O’Brien told RSN. “We have been very pleased that he broke his group 1 duck in Australia over the spring. Every time he goes to the races, he gives a good effort.

"(Jockey) Jamie Mott has got a great relationship with him and I am sure he will give us a good ride again on Saturday. He has got a very good fresh record; I think he has been first or second in all but one of his first-up runs. He is such a competitor, you have got to give him a chance every time he goes to the races.”

The son of Atlante has been winless in his last three starts since his Sir Rupert Clarke triumph. In his last outing, Nov. 12 at Cranbourne in the one-mile Cranbourne Cup, he was second behind Uncle Bryn .

Lynch Set for First Group 1 Ride

Jockey Arron Lynch will have his first group 1 ride in the CF Orr Stakes when he gets aboard Western Empire and he feels the group 1-winning 5-year-old can get back to his best.

“It will be my first group 1 ride. I’ve had a couple in group 2s and group 3s, but really looking forward to it,” Lynch told Racing.com. “It’s great to sit on him and to get a ride on him is even better. I couldn’t be any happier with the way the horse is going.”

The 32-year-old first partnered Western Empire in a jump-out at Pakenham on Tuesday in which he beat stablemate Showmanship.

“The horse is flying off his trial on Tuesday there at Pakenham, I was really happy with him there,” Lynch said. “He got out of the gates pretty good, we messed around with a bit of gear, taken a bit of gear off and I think that’s going to work to get him out of the gates.

"He’s just got to get that form back I suppose, his last couple he’s missed the start and that hasn’t helped him at all, but the way he jumped out the gates the other day, I don’t think he’ll miss the start. We’ve got a good draw, we’ll be able to put him where we want to and if he goes up to his trial work, he’s definitely not out of it.”