Orange opts for Arafura in tonight’s Breeders Stakes at Addington

[Wandering Eyes]

By Michael Guerin

A surprise driving decision will see two new combinations at the top of the market in tonight’s $100,000 Fahey Fence Hire Breeders Stakes (8.05pm) at Addington.

Champion horseman Blair Orange produced a stunning drive to get General Jen home from five back on the markers in the Garrards Mares Championship two weeks ago, the lead-up race to tonight’s Group 1.

But Orange sprung a surprise when he opted to partner General Jen’s stablemate Arafura tonight even though she has drawn the second line and not raced for two months.

“Blair does most of our driving and got first choice of out three runners,” said Hayden Cullen, who trains with wife Amanda.

“Once he did that it left the drive on General Jen free and we offered that to Mark [Purdon] because he was originally going to come down to partner Arafura.

“Mark had already booked his tickets so will now drive General Jen instead and to be honest we can’t really split them.”

That means two of the favourites have swapped drivers, with Purdon having reigned Arafura to win the NZ Oaks in November while Orange has done most of the driving behind General Jen.

Which mare proves the stable’s best chance could come down to luck and tempo, with General Jen brilliantly fast but Arafura the more proven stayer and winner of both Oaks last season.

“We all saw what General Jen did last start and she can win again but if I had to opt for one of ours I’d go Arafura,” says Cullen.

“She may not have raced for two months but she is very forward and loves the 2600m.

“She will need some luck from the second line but I think she is the best stayer.”

The Group 1 is crammed with talent but the lead-up race two weeks ago suggested the four-year-old mares may have more upside than their older rivals like Francent and Esmeralda.

Francent did have to work hard last start in the Garrards Championship though and with a better draw tonight gets her chance to try to fight the younger brigade off.

The Breeders is the highlight of a stacked Addington programme, with Mr Love the $2.50 favourite for the Lamb And Hayward Trot (7.44pm) even off a 20m handicap.

Pinseeker is red hot to win the Studholme Bloodstock feature pace (7.07pm)after easily beating Hadron Collider last start but Cullen, who trains the latter, thinks the gap between them will close tonight.

“Our horse needed the run last start so will be a lot better this week but Pinseeker is going to be very hard to beat.”

One of the early highlights of the meeting will be Race 1 (4.39pm), which boasts plenty talented pacers still on the way up, including the Cullen-trained Volare.

“Our filly has just kept getting better but it is a really good field so it won’t be easy,” he says.

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