Warrnambool galloper Moudre has pleased trainer Ciaron Maher leading in to his first Group One assignment in the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield.The Australian Cup-bound five-year-old was a first-up winner over 1400m at Flemington last campaign and Maher is hopeful he can be competitive when resuming over the same distance in the star-studded field on Saturday."I am really happy with him," Maher said.Moudre has raced three times first-up for a win and two placings."His last first-up run he travelled

Warrnambool galloper Moudre has pleased trainer Ciaron Maher leading in to his first Group One assignment in the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield.

The Australian Cup-bound five-year-old was a first-up winner over 1400m at Flemington last campaign and Maher is hopeful he can be competitive when resuming over the same distance in the star-studded field on Saturday.

"I am really happy with him," Maher said.

Moudre has raced three times first-up for a win and two placings.

"His last first-up run he travelled up on the pace fairly well and won at Flemington," Maher said.

"He had a little jumpout the other day and was quite sharp, racing up pretty handy and finishing it off (to win)."

The signs are encouraging for Maher who is looking for better fortune in the autumn with Moudre after he was unable to get a start in either the Caulfield or Melbourne Cups despite being competitive against some of the best stayers last spring.

He ran a long head second to Melbourne Cup winner Americain in the Geelong Cup and fourth to Cup runner-up Maluckyday in The Lexus.

He was spelled after winning the Group Three Queen's Cup (2600m) at Flemington on November 6.

Maher said Moudre had residual fitness from the spring and had come to hand well.

"It is only a short turnaround to the autumn carnival and he freshened up well with a nice covering on him," Maher said.

The Warrnambool trainer has had limited exposure to Group One racing but is no stranger to success at the elite level having trained Tears I Cry to win the 2007 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington at $101.

Craig Williams rode Moudre through the spring and has stuck with the Blevic gelding again on Saturday.

Maher said with everything being equal Moudre should be able to track into the race from around midfield.

"Without seeing the barrier it is hard to know exactly where he will be but you would think there would be pretty good speed up front and he will be midfield or a touch worse," Maher said.

"I would just like to see him hitting the line."

The Group Two St George Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 26 will be Moudre's only other run before the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 12.

The Orr entries include Horse of the Year and last year's Orr winner Typhoon Tracy, 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, three-time Cox Plate placegetter Zipping, Heart Of Dreams, Ortensia, Luen Yat Forever, Linton, Spacecraft, Precedence and Faint Perfume.

The final field will be declared on Wednesday.