The tease of Spring and the return of star grey Puissance De Lune add plenty of intrigue to today’s $200,000 Group II P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m). Join The Roar from 4:15pm (AEST) for a preview, live blog and review post race.
The P.B. Lawrence Stakes, formerly the J J Liston Stakes, was usually one of the key kick off points for many good horses during the Spring, but with prizemoney increases and status upgrades to other races, this race has fallen away a touch in terms of quality and is now saved for the odd good horse eg Puissance De Lune, and the Winter sprinters who are rock hard fit.
Below is a runner by Runner preview of today’s race:
Foreteller – 8YO Gelding
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Weight: 59kg
Barrier: 7
Form: Foreteller resumes here for Chris Waller after a tough Autumn campaign, where there was no victories, but he was very competitive against the best of the best. The highlight was a narrow third to Fiorente and Green Moon in a thrilling edition of the Australian Cup. He probably had enough after that, so I’ll forgive him for his two failures behind Silent Achiever. Liked the way he has trialled back home in Sydney, loves Caulfield and can run really well fresh.
Puissance De Lune – 7YO Horse
Trainer: Darren Weir
Jockey: Brad Rawiller
Weight: 59kg
Barrier: 4
Form: All eyes will be on this superstar grey, Puissance De Lune. Yes, he may have tapered off badly towards the end of the Spring last year, but as we saw with his ridiculously easy win in this race 12 months ago, he can make good horses look very ordinary. His trials have been very slick from all reports, and the fact he is being kept to a mile this Spring tells me that Darren Weir will have trained the zip back in his legs, and we know how good that zip is when right. It’ll be a great training effort if the horse is to win fresh, but Darren Weir has produced some amazing training feats in recent times.
Brambles – 6YO Gelding
Trainer: Peter Moody
Jockey: Luke Nolen
Weight: 59kg
Barrier: 9
Form: 2012 Queensland Derby winner who has had many issues and only returned from that Group l win back in early May over this track/distance, and was quite good I thought in running fourth, then was just as good late behind Limes at Flemington before failing at the Valley. Won a recent jumpout at Caulfield, beating home stablemate Lidari. He is a good horse when right, but hard to have him here first up.
Kincaple – 9YO Gelding
Trainer: Mark Webb
Jockey: Dwayne Dunn
Weight: 59kg
Barrier: 8
Form: Back in Victoria after formerly racing in Perth where he was quite competitive at Group level without winning. Well held in a barrier trial at Cranbourne last week by an open handicap horse at best in Good Value, and given he is nine year olds, better suited over further…deserved price of $101.
Lidari – 6YO Horse
Trainer: Peter Moody
Jockey: Ben Melham
Weight: 59kg
Barrier: 10
Form: Top winner of the Blamey back in the Autumn before coming to Sydney and failing twice at Group l level. He finished third in that jumpout won by Brambles, and didn’t show as much early speed as Brambles, so if I don’t rate his chances, I can’t rate the chances of Lidari any higher. Happy to watch.
Zamorar – 6YO Gelding
Trainer: David Bourne
Jockey: Katelyn Mallyon (a)
Weight: 59kg
Barrier: 1
Form: Trialled brilliantly prior to his strong first up win down the Flemington straight before running a brave third last week in the Aurie’s Star behind Group l winner Tiger Tees. He loomed to win that race, but just petered late. He did run second in this race two years ago on a very heavy track, but I’m split on him as to whether he should be kept to the sprints under 1200m or try him out again as a 1400m galloper. Barrier one will ensure he gets every chance to run it out.
Excluded – 7YO Gelding
Trainer: Byron Cozamanis
Jockey: Steve Arnold
Weight: 59kg
Barrier: 6
Form: Former Lloyd Williams stayer who has been away from the racing game for 12 months and is now with Byron Cozamanis. He was a quality stayer a couple of years back and was touted as a possible Melbourne Cup contender, but injury has put those dreams away. Had a jumpout on July 29 at Caulfield and didn’t really do much, but the winner was multiple Group l winner Moment Of Change. Still, I’ll just watch him go around here.
Star Rolling – 5YO Gelding
Trainer: Peter Morgan & Craig Widdison
Jockey: Steve Baster
Weight: 59kg
Barrier: 11
Form: Very good horse, but the screws in his head simply will never be tightened I feel. Promised so much during the Spring of last year and the Autumn this year, but all he has produced is a stakes win at Morphettville. Recent trial at Cranbourne was sharp and really hit the line with purpose under a good hold. Generally needs the fresh run under his belt, but his ability is too good to completely dismiss.
Spillway – 5YO Horse
Trainer: David Hayes & Tom Dabernig
Jockey: Damien Oliver
Weight: 59kg
Barrier: 5
Form: I’m very keen to see how Spillway returns here. He was highly talked up when coming here for David Hayes and really caught the eye at his Australian debut with a closing seventh in the Bendigo Golden Mile, beaten just over two lengths, then raced quite flat in the Neville Sellwood behind Junoob before appreciating a fast tempo in the JRA Plate at Randwick and streeting clear of his rivals. Best is over further, but look for him to find the line as he heads towards the Caulfield Cup.
Gig – 6YO Mare
Trainer: Shawn Mathrick
Jockey: Vlad Duric
Weight: 57kg
Barrier: 3
Form: Gallant mare who loves bobbing up in the money somewhere. Go back three runs and she was fantastic I thought in the Group l Tatt’s Tiara behind star mare Cosmic Endeavour, then ran a cracking third to Akavoroun in the Winter Championship final before a slashing second in the Bletchingly to Thiamandi. Back up to 1400m is ideal, loves racing here and draws well. She’s the knockout chance.
Let’s Make A Deal – 5YO Mare
Trainer: Nigel Blackiston
Jockey: Chad Schofield
Weight: 57kg
Barrier: 2
Form: Talented staying mare who resumes here after just a fair Autumn prep. She found the line with the purpose in most of her runs, but couldn’t crack it for a win. Recent Flemington jumpout was pleasing, but she’ll be better suited with fitness and when the distances increase. She’ll wind up late.
Tips:
I’m pretty keen here on Puissance De Lune. From what I’ve seen in exhibition gallops and his trial win at Donald, he looks more than fit enough to win first up. Given his main target is the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), the sprint will be in his legs, and he gets conditions to suit.
Foreteller is the proven WFA performer who doesn’t know how to run a shocker, and I have been impressed by the way he has trialled back in Sydney. Expecting him to run a beauty fresh.
For a roughie, chuck Spillway in exotics. We saw what he was capable of during the Sydney Carnival and his recent jumpout at Flemington was more than satisfactory.
Also include Gig, who is rock hard fit and has a great overall record at the Caulfield 1400m.
Casper
Guest
As a monday morning expert, i think you've given PDL too big a wrap & far too much forgiveness on that effort. If he was backed at that price on last years efforts, there must be a lot of mug punters still listening to Bossy. These oncers come along every year, there aren't many horses who can back up preparation after preparation & we don't give them enough credit. I reckon there won't be much in the way of spring success coming out of that race.
Scuba
Guest
Star Rolling - has always promised to win a good race and lived up to that promise today. Spillway - excellent run, could be in for a big Spring Gig - did her best, not quite up to these Foreteller - very good run, could quite easily go back to back in the Makybe Diva PDL - weak as
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Ripping race overall Roarers. Hope you enjoyed the coverage and hope to hear from you soon :)
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Wrap up in final finish order: Star Rolling: Got involved in that speed duel early on, sst outside Zamorar and pulled hard, still travelled into the straight, kicked hard and found plenty when asked. Great win. Spillway: Lovely return by this former European. Given a gun ride by Oliver, looked the winner 100m out but fitness just gave way late. He'll be winning races this prep and be competitive at a high level no doubt. Gig: Came very wide on the turn and ran her little heart out for third. That should do her this prep and she'll come back during the Summer/Autumn and pick up a stakes race. Foreteller: Worked home very strongly for fourth. Crying out for Flemington and further. Lidari: Fair run after getting every chance I thought. Expected a touch more. Puissance De Lune: Covered extra ground and was forced very wide on the turn. When asked to let down, he didn't. Prepared to forgive him and give him another chance. Zamorar: Copped plenty of pressure in front and was a beaten horse on the turn. A tough 1400m isn't his go. Brambles: Worked home okay out wide. Looking for further, so wait and see with him I think. Let's Make A Deal: Needed the run. Kincaple: Needed the run and outclassed I think. FORGIVE: Puissance De Lune- Did too much work in the run for a horse who was first up from a 40+ week break. Prepared to have another look at him before making a final judgement. FORGET: Zamorar at anything beyond 1200m. He was found out today, when the pressure came on, he folded up and wasn't up to it. FOLLOW: I think the first two home, Star Rolling and Spillway, can be followed this Spring. The winner did all the work outside the speed and kicked on very strongly, which is something he normally hasn't done, so all kudos has to go to him, while Spillway is being set for the Caulfield Cup, so his effort to get as close as he did was fabulous.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Wowza!
Adam Page
Roar Guru
They are off and racing in the feature! Kincaple out the back with Brambles Puissance De Lune jumps well and settles midfield Zamorar, Star Rolling and Lidari engage in a speed duel, with the latter easing out. PDL is wide with no cover but now gets a cart courtesy of Gig. They come to the turn and Star Rolling quickly beats off Zamorar. As soon as he does that, Spillway, who has had the suck run on the rail, peels out and looks likely. Gig is wide out and trying her heart out, PDL peels out and doesn't accelerate quickly. Star Rolling and Spillway fight it out and come to the line and...photo! Who gets it...Star Rolling a lip! Spillway second, Gig third. Fourth in was Foreteller, who was working home very strongly late.
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Late market moves: Puissance De Lune now crunched into $2.70 Foreteller into $7 Gig out to $13
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Mounting yard preview: Foreteller: Relaxed, looks in really good order and forward enough to win fresh. Puissance De Lune: Looks very good and sharp...ready to go. Brambles: Carrying a slight belly on him, but looks healthy. Kincaple: Looks in need of the run. Lidari: Looks outstanding in the coat and fit. Zamorar: Looks fit enough and healthy. Star Rolling: He will improve off the run I feel. Spillway: Looks well within himself and has come back well. Gig: Very fit mare who looks very good in the yard and ready to rumble. Let's Make A Deal: Carrying a belly and will need the outing. Pick of the yard: Clearly Puissance De Lune
Adam Page
Roar Guru
TAB market movers: Foreteller- $9 into $8 out to $8.50 Puissance De Lune- Got out to $3.30, now into $3. Brambles- $21, got out to $26 and now into $18 Kincaple- $61 out to $81 into $71 Lidari- $4.60 out to $5.50 Zamorar- $7 got out to as much as $8.50, now into $7.50 Star Rolling- $8, got into $6, now back out to $7 Spillway- $10, hasn't budged Gig- $13, crunched into $8, back out to $9 Let's Make A Deal- $26 out to $31
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Key market movers: The money is steadily coming for Puissance De Lune on Sportsbet, drifting out to $3.30, but is now firming into $3.10. Foreteller is slightly drifting, $8 to $8.50. Also unwanted in betting is the mare down the bottom, Let's Make A Deal, drifting to $34 from $26. Other notable moves are Brambles- $26 into $19, Lidari- $5.50 into $5, Zamorar- $11 into $8.50 and Gig, who has been $15 into $10. These market movers are thanks to Sportsbet.com.au
Adam Page
Roar Guru
The key with Zamorar is whether or not Katelyn kicks up. My opinion, she has to surely kick up and look to control the race from the front. He is the fit horse who will be out of trouble. But I agree, PDL looks the clear horse to beat.
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Some of the bigger bets to note with the bookies: Spprtingbet have recorded a $5000 bet on Puissance De Lune at $3, while Sportsbet have had a $2000 bet on the grey at $3.10. Luxbet have accepted a $1000 bet on Foreteller at $7.50, and we know he is the proven WFA performer, along with trialling really well leading up to this afternoon.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
I'm keen on Zamorar each way but I think the big Grey is a class above.
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Afternoon chaps! Just under 40 minutes away from the feature race of the afternoon. Weather is overcast at Caulfield and the track is currently rated a Dead4. In terms of bias, there is none to really speak of. Leaders and horses near the speed have won more often than not, but I'd say that is more pace related than bias.