PB Lawrence Stakes 2026 Betting Odds & Race Preview

The latest edition of the PB Lawrence Stakes took place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 as the opening Group 2 race of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and was won by Group 1 winning Perth expat Cosmic Crusader ($2.50F) who saluted for the punters.

The 2026 P.B. Lawrence Stakes signals the true start of Melbourne’s spring‑launch at Caulfield, and Ladbrokes punters are already zeroing in on the latest P.B. Lawrence Stakes odds and expert P.B. Lawrence Stakes betting tips for this pivotal Group 2 weight‑for‑age showdown. As a proven spring‑kickoff for elite middle‑distance horses and returning Group performers, the race consistently delivers sharp market moves, strong Caulfield form lines and genuine value for punters chasing an early‑season edge on their spring carnival bets. With class runners resuming, fitness‑forward types looking to strike fresh, and pace‑driven setups shaping the markets, this page gives Ladbrokes punters the key trends, insights and high‑value betting plays needed to bet on the PB Lawrence Stakes with confidence on one of the most influential early‑spring features of the year.

2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Results

The official P.B. Lawrence Stakes 2026 results and finishing order will be provided below once the race is run and won on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

Cosmic Crusader ($2.50F) kept his Melbourne roll going in style, producing a sharp, professional win in the 2026 PB Lawrence Stakes results to back up his Bletchingly triumph and underline his rising spring credentials. Making the trip east for the first time aboard the Maurice gelding, William Pike eased him into clear running at the bend and the six‑year‑old did the rest, sweeping past Evaporate and fending off Private Eye with a strong, sustained surge. The victory rewarded owner Bob Peters, who broke his long‑held superstition to be on track, and further justified Andrea Leek’s Melbourne spring tilt. With 10 wins and more than $1.8 million already in the bank, Cosmic Crusader now heads to the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (August 29) as a major player and a horse clearly trending the right way.

2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Odds & Finishing Order

Odds on the P.B. Lawrence Stakes 2026 will be out closer to PB Lawrence Stakes Day and detailed in full below complete with market links so stay tuned to back your early spring selections at the top Melbourne racing prices followed by the official finishing order after the event.

PB Lawrence Stakes Tips

Good PB Lawrence Stakes tips include backing good first-up performers that are resuming, gallopers with weight-for-age experience and runners that have nice Melbourne race records in tougher company.

Other PB Lawrence Stakes betting tips worth taking to the bookies are to back single-figure runners with Group 1 form from previous campaigns, watch the Missile Stakes results earlier in the month and get behind the class runners as opposed to the up-and-comers.

Mares also have a good recent record in the event and make a nice PB Lawrence Stakes tip with Mystic Journey (2019), Savatiano (2020) and Sierra Sue (2021) the latest female gallopers to beat home the boys in the potential Caulfield Cup lead-up.

Ladbrokes Tip: Staying types often resume in the PB Lawrence Stakes making it a nice form race to follow into later Group 1 races over more distance in the spring.

2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Tips

Our insider Ladbrokes’ P.B. Lawrence Stakes 2026 tips and betting selections for Caulfield will be made available below the week of the race so stay tuned for the gallopers to back and sack in the Group 2.

FULL 2026 PB LAWRENCE STAKES DAY PREVIEW, TIPS & PREDICTIONS

Latest PB Lawrence Stakes News

Horse Racing

2026 P.B. Lawrence Stakes Day Preview

12 Aug • Ryan Cook

Ladbrokes is here with our expert 2026 P.B. Lawrence Stakes Day Preview as the leadup to the 2026 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival continues at Caulfield on Saturday with four black-type races sprinkled across the card. The Group 3 Vain and Quezette Stakes promise two high-octane battles down the straight between the three-year-olds, before a few familiar names contest the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes over 1400m. Wet track form is a must with rain continuing in Melbourne, and it’s worth noting the track is rated a Heavy 8 at time of writing. Read on for our complete race analysis, P.B.…

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The P.B. Lawrence Stakes is a Group 2 race held at Caulfield Racecourse in mid-August early on during the annual Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Attracting a field of resuming staying types, the weight-for-age clash is open to three-year-olds and above and is registered as the J.J. Liston Stakes.

Offering $300,000 in total prize money as of 2021, the PB Lawrence Stakes is the feature race on the program that also hosts the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) and Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) for three-year-olds.

That same day in Sydney, the Golden Rose-bound three-year-olds face off in Randwick’s Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes.

It has been a nice guide for bigger spring races in recent years and makes the perfect lead-up into events like the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, Caulfield’s Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m), Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m), and even the Melbourne Cup!

PB Lawrence Stakes Race Info

• Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
• Track: Caulfield
• Distance: 1400m
• Conditions: Weight-for-age
• Status: Group 2
• Prize Money: $300,000
• First Run: 1949

PB Lawrence Stakes Betting

PB Lawrence Stakes odds are traditionally a good starting point for the spring for staying types, horses that have a strong first-up record over the 1400m usually dominate the odds.

PB Lawrence Stakes betting is led each spring by the class weight-for-age performers in the field with Group 1 experience and the favourites have a strong record in the race.

Mystic Journey ($2.15 in 2019), Savatiano ($5 in 2020), Mr Brightside ($4 in 2022 and $2.35 in 2023), Private Eye ($3.10 in 2025), and Cosmic Crusader ($2.50 in 2026) are the latest favourites in P.B. Lawrence Stakes betting to win. 

The mares made it a three-peat in 2021 with Sierra Sue beating home the boys in the PB Lawrence Stakes results off a lead-up Mildura Cup win.

PB Lawrence Stakes Field

The PB Lawrence Stakes race field attracts a line-up of staying types kicking off their spring campaigns who are heading into longer distance features in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Most gallopers are first-up in the field and had their lead-up runs back in the autumn, but some fit winter types could be rounding out preparations with a last shot at Group 2 glory.

Mr Brightside for his successful title defence in 2023 followed by Private Eye in 2025 are the latest first-up P.B. Lawrence Stakes winners.

PB Lawrence Stakes nominations are taken the Monday prior to the race running on the Saturday, with the field and barrier draw released on the Wednesday.

2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Field

Punters can view the official P.B. Lawrence Stakes 2026 final field and barriers on the Wednesday of race week when they’re published below following their release from Racing Victoria.

The 2026 PB Lawrence Stakes final field features a cracking line-up of spring hopefuls including the widely drawn Joe Pride-trained veteran galloper Private Eye and Group 1 champ Cosmic Crusader who was huge fresh in the Bletchingly Stakes.

2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Nominations

The official 2026 P.B. Lawrence Stakes Nominations will be announced right here as soon as available on the Monday of race week.

PB Lawrence Stakes Form Guide

The PB Lawrence Stakes form guide lists all the crucial information for punters like the saddlecloth numbers, jockeys, trainers, barriers and previous runs of the horses in the field. Check the form guide for first-up runners with a nice record when fresh and staying types with previous wins over the shorter distance (1400m) in Melbourne that performed well last campaign.

Each spring racing season in Victoria the P.B. Lawrence Stakes form has a habit of stacking-up in better grade races across the carnival so watching the results as a guide to betting on races like the Makybe Diva Stakes over the mile at Flemington and the Underwood Stakes is a good tip.

In 2015 Mourinho won the PB Lawrence Stakes before taking out the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) back at the track two starts late.

Also out of the 2015 PB Lawrence Stakes, runner-up The Cleaner won Moonee Valley’s Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) next-up before a third in the Underwood. In 2013 Puissance De Lune won the race before a second in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) later that campaign.

In 2014 Gig ran third to Star Rolling in the race on the back of a second at the track in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) the month before. The Bletchingly Stakes winner in 2013 Second Effort ran third in the PB Lawrence Stakes having won the race the previous year (2012), while the double was last achieved by Shoot Out (2010).

The following year Puissance De Lune (2014) was unplaced in the PB Lawrence Stakes before thirds in the Memsie Stakes, Makybe Diva and Turnbull all in elite level company. In 2012 Second Effort won the P.B Lawrence Stakes before a Memsie Stakes third.

The 2017 P.B. Lawrence Stakes winner Hartnell went on to run second in both the Makybe Diva Stakes and Underwood Stakes that year. Hartnell also won the 2018 CF Orr Stakes, Epsom Handicap and recorded a number of other Group 1 placings including behind the world’s best racehorse Winx in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The 2021 PB Lawrence Stakes form was franked with the winning mare Sierra Sue continuing on to win that year’s Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) as well as the 2022 Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield the following autumn.

The 2022 PB Lawrence Stakes winner Mr Brightside franked the form the following year coming back to take out the All-Star Mile – Doncaster Mile double in 2023. Mr Brightside returned to defend his P.B. Lawrence Stakes title and saluted for the punters again first-up in 2023.

Mr Brightside went on to frank the PB Lawrence Stakes form again claiming the 2023 Group 1 Memsie Stakes – Makybe Diva Stakes double before second place finishes in that spring’s King Charles III Stakes, Cox Plate, and Champions Mile. He also returned in the autumn of 2024 to claim the CF Orr – Futurity Stakes Caulfield race double.

The 2024 PB Lawrence Stakes form was franked with the winner, Gentleman Roy, running a next-up third in that year’s Memsie Stakes trifecta behind Pinstriped who won the Group 1 in on the back of a second in the PB Lawrence.

2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Form Guide

A link to our detailed P.B. Lawrence Stakes 2026 form guide and betting preview will be available for punters below the week of the race following final acceptances and updated odds.

COMPLETE 2026 PB LAWRENCE STAKES FORM GUIDE & RACE COMMENTARY

Past PB Lawrence Stakes Results

The PB Lawrence Stakes race results have been dominated by single-figure hopes over the decade with the last double-figure winner being Pompeii Ruler (2006).

Notable recent PB Lawrence winners include the first two-time champion in 52 years Mr Brightside (2022-23), Mystic Journey (2019), Hartnell (2017), Puissance De Lune (2013), Whobegotyou (2011), Shoot Out (2010), Light Fantastic (2008), and Apache Cat (2007).

Sierra Sue (2021) was the last PB Lawrence Stakes winning mare.

Clear Springs (1954) is the only PB Lawrence Stakes winning three-year-old in history.

Multiple PB Lawrence Stakes winners: Mr Brightside (2022, 2023); Tauto (1971, 1972); My Peak (1960, 1962).

Apache Cat holds the current PB Lawrence Stakes race record winning in 2007 in a time of 1 minute 22:19 seconds.

Recent PB Lawrence Stakes Winners

Recent PB Lawrence Stakes winners and placegetters dating back to the year 1999 are detailed in the below table.

FAQ

How do I bet on the 2026 PB Lawrence Stakes?

Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android apps with Ladbrokes.
The first step is to create an account at Ladbrokes.
The process is quick and easy! Once you've created your account you can make a deposit via credit card, or any other of our secure payment methods. Next up, head to the racing page and find the race and runner that's right for you.

Which horse will win the 2026 PB Lawrence Stakes?

The best way to pick which horse will win the PB Lawrence Stakes is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight the horse will carry (among other factors). Check out Ladbrokes in the lead up to the race for full form information.

When is the PB Lawrence Stakes 2026?

The 2026 PB Lawrence Stakes is set to run at Caulfield on Saturday August 15 as an important early spring carnival lead-up for WFA performers. It is scheduled to run as Caulfield Race 7 at 4:00pm (AEST).

What is the prize money for the PB Lawrence Stakes 2026?

The 2026 PB Lawrence Stakes prize money is set at $300,000 which is paid from 1st to 8th place including $180,000 going to the PB Lawrence Stakes winner.

Where is the PB Lawrence Stakes 2026?

The 2026 PB Lawrence Stakes will take place at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, which is located at Gate 2 Station Street Caulfield, VIC 3145.

What distance is the PB Lawrence Stakes run over?

The P.B. Lawrence Stakes is run over 1400 metres, a key early‑spring weight‑for‑age trip that gives punters a reliable guide to how returning Group performers are shaping ahead of bigger Melbourne features. This distance at Caulfield often rewards horses with tactical speed, strong first‑up records and proven WFA credentials — all crucial factors when assessing P.B. Lawrence Stakes odds and shaping confident P.B. Lawrence Stakes betting plays.

How many horses run in the PB Lawrence Stakes?

The P.B. Lawrence Stakes typically assembles a field of around 10–14 runners, reflecting its status as one of Melbourne’s key early spring weight‑for‑age contests. Field size can shift slightly each year depending on how many top‑level stables choose to kick off their campaigns at Caulfield, but punters can reliably expect a high‑quality, compact lineup — ideal for analysing P.B. Lawrence Stakes odds and shaping confident P.B. Lawrence Stakes betting plays.

Who won the 2026 PB Lawrence Stakes?

The 2026 PB Lawrence Stakes was won by six-year-old Maurice gelding Cosmic Crusader at $2.50 favouritism for trainer Andrea Leek with jockey William Pike aboard on 59kg from barrier 8 to win by 0.75 lengths in a time of 1:24.16 on a Soft (6) track.

Who won the 2025 PB Lawrence Stakes?

The 2025 PB Lawrence Stakes was won by eight-year-old Al Maher gelding Private Eye at $3.10 favouritism for trainer Joseph Pride with jockey Nash Rawiller aboard from barrier 7 on 59kg to win by two lengths in a time of 1:25.96.