Skip to main navigation Skip to main content

Have the bookies got it wrong with Orchestrate?

18 February 2022

Share this page

Share on a platform

Or copy the page link

By Alex Nolan

Orchestrate’s part-owner Tom Kinnear earns a living out of making wise investments.

So, what does he make of the $18 (TAB All In) currently on offer for his Queensland-based star to win next week’s Group 1 Australian Cup Final at The Meadows?

“The respect he got coming from Queensland, having never raced in Victoria was lacking," he said. 

“If he runs as he should in Saturday’s heats then $18 is still huge overs.

“Essentially, you’re betting on him stepping well but if he makes the Final, depending on where he’s drawn and what’s drawn around him, you’d expect his quote to be half that.”

While some bookies failed to show Orchestrate a healthy dose of respect, punters certainly have ahead of his interstate debut.    

Last year’s Rockhampton Cup and Origin Sprint winner will leave box six in the eighth and final heat (Race 12) of the Australian Cup, where is now a clear $3.20 favourite.  

Prepared by Hall Of Fame trainer Tony Brett, Orchestrate’s tremendous acceleration went on display when he returned from an injury enforced lay-off to score in 29.66 seconds at Albion Park on January 13.

Albion Park

ORSON ALLEN @ METICULOUS LODGE 520m

It was similar scene the following week when he bolted in the Australia Day Trophy, then won a third on the bounce in a Group 1 Gold Bullion heat.

He would finish fifth in the hotly contested Final, won by freak chaser Jungle Deuce and has now been sent to Jason Thompson for a tilt at one of Australia’s most sought after trophies.

Orchestrate trialled in 29.94 seconds (5.07 – 17.80) at The Meadows last week, pleasing both trainer and owner.

“We hoped he would break 30 seconds,” Kinnear admitted.  

“You would expect he’ll take natural improvement for a second – and if he gets the chance – a third look.

“We’re quite pleased with the draw. While six doesn’t look very appealing to the naked eye … he does love a little bit of space and has great acceleration.

“Hopefully he can find the front coming to that first corner and if he runs a low five second section then he’ll be right there.”

Kinnear and the camp had hoped to target races like The Melbourne Cup late last year before Orchestrate went amiss.

After suffering a major pin injury in a race at Albion Park in August, Orchestrate returned for three more runs in October and November before injuring the other pin, albeit less seriously, at Ipswich on November 11.

However, both owner and trainer agree that the minor injury he suffered in November proved to be a “blessing in disguise.”

A reinvigorated and more mature Orchestrate wowed just about everyone when he recorded that first-up demolition back in January.

“We didn’t expect him to do what he did first-up,” Kinnear admitted.

“He’s come back stronger and his runs home have improved significantly.

“The Gold Bullion didn’t go our way so now the natural progression is to the next Group 1 series, that being the Australian Cup.”

Orchestrate won’t be the Kinnear family’s lone contestant in the rich Group 1.

Half-brother Decimate, by Aston Dee Bee, is chasing six straight wins when he contests the second last heat (Race 11) for Thompson.

“He’s been doing exceptionally well and has drawn the six, too,” he said.

“He’s obviously not as quick as Orchestrate but if he gets it right, he’s certainly a chance as well so it’s a pretty exciting Saturday night.”

Fellow Queenslanders contesting the $300,000 to the winner series include Extra Malt for Graham and Leanne Hall and the Noel Evans-owned Correy Grenfell-trained Werina Express, who both contest heat six (Race 10). 

News broke yesterday that Spotted Elk would miss the series, after x-rays revealed a stress fracture that will sideline last year's TAB Phoenix runner-up for four to six weeks. 

Micks Recall for trainer Jamie Hosking will contest a heat of the Fanta Bale Superstayers Series (725 metres) which comes up as race three on the card. 

Orchestrate
Micks Recall