TAB has PB Lawrence Stakes tips and predictions for the Group 2 race at Caulfield on Saturday, where a stellar field of 13 runners compete for black type.
Cosmic Crusader is the current $2.45 favourite with PB Lawrence Stakes odds, but with Group 1 horses littered throughout the field, it’ll be one of the best early races of the season.
There are a lot of quality runners in the PB Lawrence Stakes field, but Private Eye should give punters a sight at Caulfield.
The 9-year-old isn’t getting any younger, but he’s a rock-hard fit runner after three runs this preparation, including a fifth at Eagle Farm behind Spicy Martini at Group 1 level in June. That was a tidy effort at the top level, and he has been given a quick break since then.
Boasting almost $13 million in stakes, Private Eye can’t be overlooked as a winning hope, and there has been some early money for him since opening at $5. That’s unsurprising for a runner of his quality.
He’s likely to settle handy to the speed from a wide barrier, and he’ll kick strongly.
| 1. Private Eye (11) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg x365xT: Joseph Pride | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of nine weeks. Finished off last preparation fifth of 18 at Eagle Farm in the G1 Stradbroke June 13 over 1400m, on heavy track; 2 len behind Spicy Martini with 56.5kg at $15. Previously first up; third of 9 at Randwick in the G3 Hall Mark April 18 over 1200m, 0.5 len behind Mazu carrying 59kg at $3.30. Won this last year, write him off at your peril. | |||
Evaporate has been targeted for this race, and he could make it a winning fresh-up effort.
The Lindsay Park-trained gelding has yet to taste success in eight attempts at Caulfield, but he has been close with four placings, and he’s a tough type at his best.
Blake Shinn riding from barrier 11 isn’t a negative. He’ll likely slot in from that draw, especially with Private Eye likely to work around his outside early, so we’re not worried by the draw.
Punters get each-way odds at the TAB, and he can’t be left out of PB Lawrence Stakes tips.
| 2. Evaporate (10) J: Blake Shinn 59kg 4299xT: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Gelding back from a spell of four-and-a-half months. Has placed previously first up from a break. Finished off last preparation ninth of 16 at Randwick in the G1 Doncaster April 4 over 1600m, soft track; 8 len behind Sheza Alibi carrying 54.5kg at $21. Previously first up; fourth of 8 at this track in the G1 Futurity Stakes February 21 over 1400m, 1.0 len behind Pericles carrying 59kg at $6.50. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Talented gelding with the peaks to beat these. | |||
There is Kiwi interest with our PB Lawrence Stakes predictions with Ohope Wins, who could sneak under the radar at odds.
Sure, she is an Oaks-winning mare, but she’s good enough to settle off the speed and come with a big late run over 1400m. Her sustained speed is what makes her a champion, and she could have a massive spring campaign.
She’s drawn to receive all favours in the run off the inside barrier, and jockey Damian Lane will cuddle her and give her every chance to let down in the straight. At $21, she’s worth including in horse racing picks.
| 13. Ohope Wins (1) J: Damian Lane 56.5kg 1141xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last preparation winning won by long-neck Randwick G1 Atc Oaks April 11 over 2400m defeating Profoundly carrying 56kg at $2.60. On debut fifth of 11 at Arawa Park November 16 over 1400m, soft track; 2.5 len behind High Emotion with 56kg at $15.70. Very talented but 1400m at this level may be too sharp. | |||
Punters get big odds with our PB Lawrence Stakes SRM, which includes all three of our selected runners.
We have Private Eye Top 3, Evaporate Top 4, and Ohope Wins Top 6, which pays $6.85 at the TAB. There is nothing wrong with those odds, especially in a field of 13 runners, so snap up the price.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, including Ohope Wins to finish in the first 5 pays better odds, and we have her finishing 4th or 5th, so the risk is worth the reward.
| 1. Private Eye (11) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg x365xT: Joseph Pride | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of nine weeks. Finished off last preparation fifth of 18 at Eagle Farm in the G1 Stradbroke June 13 over 1400m, on heavy track; 2 len behind Spicy Martini with 56.5kg at $15. Previously first up; third of 9 at Randwick in the G3 Hall Mark April 18 over 1200m, 0.5 len behind Mazu carrying 59kg at $3.30. Won this last year, write him off at your peril. | |||
| 2. Evaporate (10) J: Blake Shinn 59kg 4299xT: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Gelding back from a spell of four-and-a-half months. Has placed previously first up from a break. Finished off last preparation ninth of 16 at Randwick in the G1 Doncaster April 4 over 1600m, soft track; 8 len behind Sheza Alibi carrying 54.5kg at $21. Previously first up; fourth of 8 at this track in the G1 Futurity Stakes February 21 over 1400m, 1.0 len behind Pericles carrying 59kg at $6.50. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Talented gelding with the peaks to beat these. | |||
| 13. Ohope Wins (1) J: Damian Lane 56.5kg 1141xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last preparation winning won by long-neck Randwick G1 Atc Oaks April 11 over 2400m defeating Profoundly carrying 56kg at $2.60. On debut fifth of 11 at Arawa Park November 16 over 1400m, soft track; 2.5 len behind High Emotion with 56kg at $15.70. Very talented but 1400m at this level may be too sharp. | |||