Punters believe Puissance De Lune can make it back-to-back victories in the P. B. Lawrence Stakes when he returns to racing at Caulfield on Saturday. He is rated a $3.00 chance in what is proving a tricky race for punters to assess as several gallopers who should figure prominently over the spring carnival, use this race to launch their campaigns. Peter Moody’s Lidari is on the second line of betting at $4.80 whilst Foreteller and Star Rolling are both $7.00 chances in early markets. The only other runner under double figures odds is Spillway. An imported galloper who has made a good impression in just three Australia starts over the autumn. 

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Odds/Results:

1. FORETELLER – J Bowman (7)

Chris Waller’s 8yo galloper lines up for another campaign with the benefit of two recent barrier trials in the past three weeks. He has finished outside the placings in each of his past two first up runs, the G1 C.F. Orr Stakes and G2 Warwick Stakes – both over 1400m. Will be doing his best work late but will be better for having this hit-out and stepping up to a mile and beyond later in his prep.

2. PUISSANCE DE LUNE – B Rawiller (4)

Returns to racing off a ten month break after suffering a tendon injury when finishing twelfth of fourteen in the last year’s Cox Plate won by Seamus Award. He won this race last year first up, producing a big finish from the tail of the field to defeat Ajeeb and Second Effort. His previous fresh run saw him dead-heat with Budriguez in the G2 Blamey Stakes after having no luck in the run. Hasn’t been seen in any public trails but that was the case with the above two victories. Trainer Darren Weir has declared the G1 Makybe Diva (1600m) a target for him so would expect him to be reasonably forward in condition and ready for this.

3. BRAMBLES – L Nolen (9)

After winning the 2012 QLD Derby, the son of Savabeel wasn’t seen for almost two years, returning with an encouraging fourth (6.4 lengths) in the Listed Thoroughbred Classic (1440m) in early May behind Reparations. He followed that up with two more starts, the most recent of which, was eight weeks ago now and saw him only hold his ground when eighth (12.8 lengths) behind The Cleaner at Moonee Valley. Hard to have him here on the above efforts.

4. KINCAPLE – D Dunn (8)

The well travelled 9yo galloper now resides with Cranbourne trainer Mark Webb and will be having his first start since finishing thirteenth (4.2 lengths) in Western Australia’s Perth Cup (2400m) back on New Year’s Day. Recent fresh runs haven’t been bad and consist of a close up seventh in the G3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) and more recently, seventh (1.8 lengths) to Conservatorium in the G2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m). Will find this race no easier than those however and his best comes over more ground.

5. LIDARI – B Melham (10)

Resumes here for trainer Peter Moody from an eighteen week spell. Just held his ground in the Futurity Stakes when first up last prep, finishing seventh (4.8 lengths) to Moment Of Change. That was the first time in five fresh runs he has missed a placed but it was also his first at G1 level and under WFA conditions. Finds himself in an easier race here though and after settling back from his wide draw, should be doing his best work late.

6. ZAMORAR – K Mallyon (1)

Did well to run down the speedy Fab Fevola first up at Flemington two starts back, first up from a spell, before getting his chance in last week’s G3 Aurie’s Star but unable to reel in leader and eventual winner Tiger Tees, finishing third (1.2 lengths). He ran second in this race back in 2012 after a similar effort in the Aurie’s Star, when he led all the way before finding Second Effort too good. Expect him to take up a forward position again and like he did in 2012, might be able to run a sneaky race with a cheap time of it up front. Any cut out of the track will certainly help.

7. EXCLUDED – S Arnold (6)

This 7yo who is now trained by local trainer Byron Cozamanis, has only had the one start since finishing well down the track in the 2012 G3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) and even that run was now a year ago. Has had plenty of problems to deal with over the past two years and would expect him to need a handful of runs before hopefully, he finds the form that saw him run second in the G2 Herbert Power.

8. STAR ROLLING – S Baster (11)

Lightly raced 5yo Casino Prince gelding who is resuming after a light autumn preparation that consisted of four runs, two of which saw him place, including a long neck third to Fiorente in the G2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m). He was ok first up last prep, holding his ground in a leader dominated race to finish fifth behind Finishing Card in the Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m). Trainers (Morgan and Widdison) have been patient with their galloper and his efforts last time in suggest he has the ability but probably need it longer than this.

9. SPILLWAY – D Oliver (5)

Former import who, at only his third start in Australian, rounded out his first local campaign with a strong win in the G3 JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick during the Sydney Carnival last April. The further time to acclimatise since will have only served this 5yo stallion well and whilst his best efforts are around a mile and a half, a forward showing here wouldn’t surprise.

10. GIG – V Duric (3)

Consistent mare who recorded yet another placing in Group company by running second to Thaimandi in the G3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) here at Caulfield three weeks ago. An excellent effort given she was dropping back from the mile of the Listed Winter Championship from only a fortnight before. The extra 200m suits and she’s finished second five times from six starts at this track but as that stat suggests, she often runs into one better than her on the day.

11. LET’S MAKE A DEAL – C. Schofield (2)

After a promising spring campaign, Nigel Blackiston’s Red Ransom mare looked on track to fulfil her potential during the autumn after finishing fourth in the G3 Sky High Stakes behind Entirely Platinum third up. Unfortunately wet tracks prevented her from producing her best in The BMW and Sydney Cup, after which she was spelled. Returns here but as in previous preps, will need to get to at least a mile and beyond before she can be competitive.

RACE OVERVIEW

Zamorar should lead out here and get an easy enough time of it given that most are resuming from a spell and better suited over a longer trips. Puissance De Lune jumps from gate three and wouldn’t expect Rawiller to let the leaders out of sight given the expected tempo of the race. His first up runs have been good in the past and if he can win last year’s race first up with the ultimate goal that campaign being the Melbourne Cup, he should be able to do it again trained with shorter races his main aim this prep. Expect Star Rolling to come across from his wide gate and take up a good position, which should see him in this race for a long time. We could see the best of the lightly raced 5yo this spring. Lidari has performed well in the past but the WFA scale and tempo might make it harder for him than previous first up efforts. Look for him to finishing well late.

1. PUISSANCE DE LUNE
2. ZAMORAR
3. STAR ROLLING
4. LIDARI

Field:

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