Last Spring’s Group 1 winner Shillelagh is set to kick off her 2018 Autumn Carnival in the Group 1 $500,000 Ladbrokes C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Shillelagh, above, is set to resume in the C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Chris Waller trained Shillelagh raced into the Spring Carnival limelight with a narrow win over stablemate Tom Melbourne in the Group 1 $1m Kennedy Mile (1600m) at Flemington on the first day of the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Waller has given Shillelagh two barrier trials at Warwick Farm in preparation for her Autumn Carnival campaign for a fifth over 800m on January 15 followed by a sixth over 1000m on February 1.

Waller said that the Savabeel six year old mare has a good fresh record and has the experience of racing at Caulfield with a win over 1440m there in a BenchMark 84 Handicap in October 2016 and a third in the Group 2 $200,000 Schweppes Tristarc Stakes (1400m)  prior to her Kennedy Mile win.

“She is a good fresh horse and was unlucky when she raced at Caulfield last spring,” Waller told AAP.

Melbourne jockey Michael Dee was aboard Shillelagh for her win in the Kennedy Mile and gets the ride again in the C.F. Orr Stakes.

“Shillelagh will run in the Orr with Michael Dee who won on her at Flemington to ride,” Waller said.

Early betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the C.F. Orr Stakes has Shillelagh marked at $9 while the Darren Weir pair of Tosen Stardom at $4.80 and last year’s winner Black Heart Bart at $5.50 head the market order.

Early betting for the 2018 C.F. Orr Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.80 Tosen Stardom, $5.50 Black Hart Bart, Hartnell, $7 Mr Sneaky, $9 Shillelagh, $11 Brave Smash, Johannes Vermeer, $13 Tshahitsi, $15 Humidor, Single Gaze, Thronum, $17 The Taj Mahal, Comin’ Through, Lucky Hussler, Mighty Boss, $21 Tom Melbourne, $26 Theanswermyfriend, Dollar Mr Dollar, Endless Drama, Global Glamour, Prized Icon, $34 or better the rest.