2014 PB Lawrence Stakes Field: Morgan looking forward to spring with Star

Last spring proved frustrating for Peter Morgan with Star Rolling but the trainer heads into this year’s carnival with optimism the talented galloper can make amends.

Star Rolling resumes in Saturday’s Group Two PB Lawrence Stakes in the first step towards a potential Caulfield Cup tilt.

Star Rolling winning the Brian Beattie Handicap at Flemington - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
Star Rolling winning the Brian Beattie Handicap at Flemington – photo by Race Horse Photos Australia

He is also nominated in the Cox Plate.

Morgan has always had a high opinion of Star Rolling but his lower rating last spring caused him to be balloted out of races.

That frustrated Morgan because he was convinced he had the horse going well enough to have won those races, such as the Heatherlie Handicap, which might have boosted his chances of making the Caulfield Cup.

The gelding was taken to Adelaide to win a Listed race before having to be spelled after his fifth placing in the Cranbourne Cup.

His autumn preparation netted a Group Three Carlyon Cup second and Group Two Peter Young Stakes placing – behind Fiorente – before finishing last in the Australian Cup.

“I just didn’t have him quite right in the autumn,” Morgan said.

“He still ran good races. If I get him back to how I had him last spring, which I’m on track to do that, he’ll be really competitive.”

Star Rolling is on the third line of betting for the PB Lawrence Stakes at $7 with comeback galloper, and last year’s winner, Puissance De Lune favourite at $3 in the field of 11.

Star Rolling had a trial at Cranbourne last week and was taken to Caulfield for a gallop on Tuesday.

Morgan said everything was going well with Star Rolling but also expects him to improve on whatever he does first-up over 1400m.

“I’m hoping he can finish in the first four,” Morgan said.

“That’s probably our first aim and if there’s any chinks in any of their armours, who knows, we might even beat them.”

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