ORPHAN AUSTRALIAN F1

2026 Series of F1 begins this weekend with Race 1 of a 17 race series throughout 2026.

Race 1 of ORPHANS F1 Australia GP (1900 m Turf). Firm ground, decent purse, and a field where a few look serious while others might just be here for the frequent flyer miles.

1. AWESOME BATTLE

Record: 22:6-1-4
Distance: Proper route horse and loves the turf (5 wins).
Wrap: When he’s good, he’s very good, that 10-length demolition in December proves the engine is there. Problem is he can also disappear quicker than your betting slip after Race 3. If he shows his best, he’s right in it. Name says “Awesome” form sometimes says, “Mildly Interesting Battle.”
Chance Rank: 4/16

2. MISTER BUGLE

Record: 22:5-3-4
Distance: Lives around the 2000 m trip and handles it fine.
Wrap: Honest turf grinder who has been knocking on the door lately with a close 2nd and 4th. Usually thereabouts but doesn’t always land the knockout punch. If the bugle sounds for victory, he’ll be charging but lately he’s been playing the background music.
Chance Rank: 6/16

3. UNIVERSAL JUSTICE

Record: 17:10-2-2
Distance: Absolutely loves this trip and the turf.
Wrap: The résumé screams class act. Ten wins already and usually races on the speed like a horse that knows he’s better than most. Last run third wasn’t bad either. If “justice” is served, this bloke probably ends up in the winner’s circle. Court is in session.
Chance Rank: 1/16 – TOP PICK

4. BELIEVE YOU SEA

Record: 14:3-2-2
Distance: Route turf is fine but she’s not exactly scaring anyone.
Wrap: A few nice efforts on the résumé but that last run was flatter than week-old soda. Needs a big rebound to threaten. The name says “Believe” but punters may need a fair bit of faith.
Chance Rank: 9/16

5. SCOOBI ROCKS

Record: 23:7-5-2
Distance: Very comfortable at these middle-distance turf routes.
Wrap: Tough seasoned campaigner who just won nicely in Sweden and has been mixing it in solid company for ages. Not flashy, but reliable and always around the finish. Scoobi Doo might not solve mysteries, but he can definitely sniff out a podium.
Chance Rank: 2/10 – BIG DANGER

6. KYMARH BAROUCHE

Record: 27:12-5-1
Distance: Handles trips far longer than this, has stamina for days.
Wrap: Absolute marathon machine who has been bullying fields at longer distances. Dropping back to 1900 m is the big question, he might find the tempo a bit sharp. A stayer in a middle distance race is like bringing hiking boots to a sprint.
Chance Rank: 5/10

7. LA PAZ COUNTY

Record: 15:3-5-2
Distance: Route distance suits reasonably well.
Wrap: Comes in off a nice win and clearly has some late kick, but this is a tougher assignment. Needs the race to collapse up front. La Paz County sounds more like a holiday destination than a winning tip.
Chance Rank: 8/10

8. ARD RI LLAMA

Record: 30:6-4-9
Distance: Proven over routes but tends to place more than win.
Wrap: The definition of a professional place getter, having nine thirds says he’s always hanging around the podium without grabbing the gold. Could sneak into the minors again. A llama that spits out placings instead of victories.
Chance Rank: 3/10

9. BLUES FOREVER

Record: 11:4-5-0
Distance: Still learning the longer trips but has shown promise.
Wrap: Young horse with a tidy record and coming off a strong second. If he steps forward again, he could surprise at odds. If he wins the others might be singing the blues.
Chance Rank: 7/10

10. WILLIAMS MISSUS

Record: 15:3-2-2
Distance: Mostly a route runner, so the trip itself isn’t an issue.
Wrap: Has a couple of solid wins on the résumé and that 9f win in January was tidy, but the last run was fairly plain. Capable on his day but needs to find another gear against this lot. The name sounds like someone’s spouse who wandered into the race by mistake.
Chance Rank: 10/16

11. JUST CHIP AWAY

Record: 11:3-0-1
Distance: Big question as most success has been shorter.
Wrap: Comes off a good win at a mile, but stepping up again into deeper company is another story. Could be the type who sits back and nibbles into the race late. If he chips away any slower, he’ll need a chisel and a few weekends.
Chance Rank: 14/16

12. MONTFAUCON

Record: 31:10-8-4
Distance: Absolute bread-and-butter trip for him.
Wrap: Proper seasoned turf horse with a serious record and big prizemoney. Comes in off a win and consistently runs big races at these trips. If class counts, and it usually does then he’s a huge factor. Name sounds like a medieval fortress, and he can be just as hard to get past.
Chance Rank: 2/16 – MAJOR DANGER

13. ITS A WAR CRY

Record: 16:5-2-2
Distance: Mostly effective around middle distances.
Wrap: Nice honest gelding who pops up with good runs when you least expect it. That recent placing suggests he’s going alright. Probably needs a career peak to win though. If the war cry goes up, a few favourites might start sweating.
Chance Rank: 7/16

14. PIVOTAL IS A STAR

Record: 18:7-1-3
Distance: Slight question a lot of his damage is done in sprints.
Wrap: Talented and fast, but stretching to this trip against genuine stayers could expose him late. Still, a horse with 7 wins from 18 deserves respect. Star quality early… just hoping the battery doesn’t fade after the straight.
Chance Rank: 6/16

15. REEL APPROACH

Record: 21:5-2-3
Distance: Route trips suit and pedigree screams stamina.
Wrap: Huge career earnings and clearly mixed it in serious company before, but recent form has been a bit shaky. If he rediscovers his best he’s dangerous. “Reel Approach” punters just hoping the reel isn’t attached to a fishing rod.
Chance Rank: 8/16

16. TAINTED DANISH

Record: 20:4-2-2
Distance: Big red flag almost all form is sprinting.
Wrap: A sprinter trying to stretch out and it hasn’t gone brilliantly so far. Might keep grinding away but this looks a tall order. Name sounds like a pastry that’s been left in the sun too long.
Chance Rank: 16/16 – LONGSHOT

Race Summary

Universal Justice – The class horse and most consistent profile
Montfaucon – Massive danger with elite route form
Scoobi Rocks – Reliable and always in the fight
Ard Ri Llama – Place magnet who could sneak another cheque