Jockey Craig Williams will be ordered to keep an eye on the leaders when Orange County has a distance upgrade and a class drop in the Blamey Stakes at Flemington.The grey gelding has contested 1200m Group One races at his last two starts in the Australia Stakes and Newmarket Handicap but trainer Brian Mayfield-Smith says the six-year-old will be better suited in Saturday's Group Two feature over 1600 metres.Orange County, who won the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last s

Jockey Craig Williams will be ordered to keep an eye on the leaders when Orange County has a distance upgrade and a class drop in the Blamey Stakes at Flemington.

The grey gelding has contested 1200m Group One races at his last two starts in the Australia Stakes and Newmarket Handicap but trainer Brian Mayfield-Smith says the six-year-old will be better suited in Saturday's Group Two feature over 1600 metres.

Orange County, who won the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last spring, has threatened to win at 1600 metres but in seven starts has never managed a victory.

A year ago he ran third to The Fuzz and Barlinnie in the Blamey while he has placed twice in the Group Two Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley, finishing second to Sonic Quest in 2007 and third to Sea Battle and Conquering last year.

"Really 1400 metres at Group One would be perfect for him but he goes all right at a mile (1600m)," Mayfield-Smith said.

Mayfield-Smith said Orange County found the 1200 metres too short when he finished fourth to Apache Cat in the Australia Stakes and 11th to Scenic Blast in last Saturday's Newmarket.

He said the son of Volksraad lost sight of the leaders when he tangled with King Hoaks in the early stages of the Newmarket and Williams told him that he may have managed a top six finish had he not suffered the interference.

"For Orange County with the weight he had (56kg) and the time they ran (1:08.75) that was a very good solid run," Mayfield-Smith said.

He said Orange County gave away too big a start in last year's Blamey when he was beaten only 1-1/2 lengths and from barrier six he should get an easier run on Saturday.

"The main thing is not to ride him too far back," Mayfield-Smith said.

Mayfield-Smith said Orange County should appreciate dropping back to Group Two level and was happy for him to have just a kilo more (57kg) compared to last year.

"Even though he has won a Group One and he ran well in the Australia Stakes at weight-for-age, I think ideally he's a Group Two horse," Mayfield-Smith said.

Orange County ($8.50) is among six horses under double-figure odds with TAB Sportsbet for the Blamey with Time Matters the $6 favourite ahead of Marching and Barlinnie at $6.50.

Prolific-winning Tasmanian galloper Conquering is $7 and Playwright is $8 to win his first race in more than a year.