The time-honoured PB Lawrence Stakes headlines a big offering at Caulfield on Saturday, and it really does feel like spring has arrived!
The PB Lawrence is often used as a springboard into some of the Spring Carnival’s major Group 1 feature races, and names like Mr Brightside, Mystic Journey and Hartnell feature on the recent winner’s list.
With races like the Vain Stakes, Quezette Stakes and Regal Roller also on the program, it’s set to be a day to remember, and you can find my complete Caulfield tips below.
Race 1 - 12:25pm
Benchmark 84 Handicap (1100m)
Sunset Dreaming returned to action with a fine performance to only just miss here at Caulfield last month and she can go one better on PB Lawrence Day.
The Impending mare won the VOBIS Gold Stackade most notably last time, while her fresh effort this time behind Herbert Park hinted at improvement.
She strips fitter for it and something like this is within her abilities.
2 Units Sunset Dreaming
Race 2 - 1pm
Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1600m)
Rhapsody Chic is in excellent winning form and looms as a key winning chance again on Saturday.
The Team Freedman-trained gelding returned to action for an eye-catching win out at Seymour in late May and hasn’t taken a backwards step, winning each of his three subsequent starts impressively.
He’s hard fit, has the runs on the board and as long as he holds his form, he’ll be in the thick of things again when the whips start cracking.
2 Units Rhapsody Chic
Race 3 - 1:35pm
Vale Catherine Rae (1400m)
I’m happy to give In Her Stride another chance at Caulfield this week.
In Her Stride returned to action to record consecutive victories earlier this year, and while another win appeared to be imminent, she failed to beat a runner home in BM84 company at Flemington last time out.
That was a luckless performance that I am going to put a line through, and I am confident she has the ability to turn it around in peak order this week.
1 Unit In Her Stride
Race 4 - 2:10pm
Quayclean Handicap (1100m)
Piastri has returned to the races in sharp form and strikes another winnable Saturday metro contest this week.
Piastri was too good for them out at Sale in his first run back from a break, and after filling the minors behind the talented Marble Nine two runs back, he was dominant at his latest.
The small drop in trip shouldn’t prove to be a hassle and he’s another one that takes his place at Caulfield in peak order.
2 Units Piastri
Race 5 - 2:45pm
Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m)
The Vain Stakes is almost always a great form race for some of the bigger three-year-old races of the spring and an outstanding field has accepted this year, including the fit and in-form Tarpaulin.
Tarpaulin only just missed in his first run back at Warwick Farm in June, and he has since recorded consecutive and dominant wins in NSW metro company.
There is no doubt that this is another rise in class, but he’s clearly got plenty of talent and a bright future, and he’s drawn to receive a lovely run under Scobie Breasley medallist, Blake Shinn.
3 Units Tarpaulin
Race 6 - 3:25pm
Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m)
A similarly excellent edition of the Quezette Stakes has materialised, and I am going to have a couple of bets.
The first is with the resuming Arabian Summer, who stamped herself as one to follow during a two-year-old season that featured three wins and two second placings from just six starts.
She was last seen recording a hat-and-run win up in Brisbane during the Winter Carnival, and this looks a lovely campaign launchpad.
The second horse that I am going to have something on his Tasmanian raider, Geegees Mistruth.
There is no doubt at all this is the biggest task of her career to date, but she is unbeaten through four starts in the Apple Isle and has owned a few demolition jobs.
She’s trialled up nicely and looks value at Quezette Stakes odds of $18 (at publish).
2 Units Arabian Summer
1 Unit E/W Geegees Mistruth
Race 7 - 4pm
Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m)
This is an excellent edition of the Regal Roller Stakes as well that features several winning chances, and I am going to have something on the Kiwi, Expressiveness, on debut in Australia.
Expressiveness was excellent throughout her most recent preparation, winning a few nice races and hitting the line to finish an agonizingly close second in the Group 1 Telegraph most notably.
Her fresh record is good, and this looks a nice launchpad for her.
2 Units E/W Expressiveness
Race 8 - 4:35pm
Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m)
Pinstriped has always been one of mine, and I’m keen to be with him when he resumes in this quality edition of the PB Lawrence Stakes.
He showed Group 1 potential during his three-year-old season, and while a win at the highest level as eluded him, he’s picked off plenty of nice races along the way.
He was only denied by Mr Brightside in this race when last first-up, and with some typically lofty targets set again this season, I’m confident he can begin on the right night.
2 Units Pinstriped
Race 9 - 5:15pm
Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1400m)
I’m going to stick with The Open when he steps out in peak order in the last on PB Lawrence Day.
He’s hardly turned in a poor performance this time in, and after recording yet another win in dominant fashion at Sandown two back, he returned to Saturday company to finish a tough second behind Rhapsody Chic here a fortnight ago.
He’s hard fit and with some luck from the barrier, I think he’ll be in it again.
1 Unit E/W The Open