A premonition of spring is evident at Caulfield, even though the season is still more than three weeks away.
The main event at Caulfield on Saturday is the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m). In prior years, when known as the J J Liston Stakes and held at Sandown, it traditionally marked the commencement of the spring campaign for many contenders.
This race was a common starting point for significant stayers, who would then progress through a weight-for-age program towards their ultimate goals, including the Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup, and Cox Plate.
While the P B Lawrence Stakes has not commanded the same level of attention in recent times, this Saturday’s renewal has attracted a field of 13 runners, with nine of them returning to racing.
Top trainer Chris Waller has accepted with three of his talented string: Wootton Verni, Soul Of Spain, and Ohope Wins. With the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick and the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield fast approaching, Waller is looking to manage his horses’ campaigns independently.
“It’s just a starting point,” Waller explained. “It just keeps them away from the Winx the following week, and the Memsie as they work their way towards nice middle-distance and staying races.”
All three of these gallopers are entered in the Group 1 Cox Plate, which will be run over 2000m at Flemington this year. They are also expected to be among the entries for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), with nominations closing next Tuesday, and the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington, for which nominations are taken on September 1.
Ohope Wins is set to commence her first full campaign under Waller’s training.
The New Zealand-bred four-year-old mare was previously under the care of Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott in New Zealand, where she secured victory in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks at Ellerslie in February. She was subsequently transferred to Waller’s stable for a Sydney autumn campaign.
After finishing fourth in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), Ohope Wins went on to win the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick in April.
When asked about Ohope Wins’ physical development, Waller confirmed she had improved.
“She looks really good,” Waller remarked. “She has come back stronger, and she could run well fresh. She’s a talented horse.”
Damian Lane has been engaged by Waller to ride Ohope Wins. This Saturday’s meeting will be Lane’s first metropolitan race meeting in Melbourne since early April, following a period riding in Japan. Racing odds will be keenly watched for these early spring performances.
