The P.B. Lawrence Stakes meeting will be held at Caulfield this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Soft 5 on Thursday and with light showers forecast for Melbourne over the next couple of days, Caulfield is likely to stay in the Soft range on raceday.
James Cummings-trained Gododdin is a top chance in an open race in the MRC Foundation Supports Legacy Hcp (Melbourne Race 1, 1100m). This 4YO mare has been in pretty good form having won twice in her last 4 starts and she can handle any track conditions. Dropping back to 1100m with four weeks behind runs should be ideal. With plenty of pace in the race, Damian Lane is likely to take a seat behind the leaders and Gododdin will be running home strongly.
Godolphin has a strong hand in the Vain Stakes with their 3YO Bivouac (Melbourne Race 5, 1100m). This talented Exceed And Excel colt has only missed a place once in 5 career starts and he is unbeaten over 1100m winning 2 from 2. Bivouac also has a good Soft & Heavy track record with 2 wins and a 2nd from 3 starts in the wet. James Cummings has given the 3YO a quiet trial over 900m on 19th July to get him ready for his 1st up run. Champion hoop Hugh Bowman will be on board the colt on Saturday. Bivouac will get a cushy run settling just behind the leading bunch and he will be the horse they all have to beat.
Race favourite Mystic Journey is resuming from a successful Autumn campaign but she’s way too short at odds-on quote being 1st up in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes (Melbourne Race 8, 1400m). Team Hayes & Dabernig-trained Fifty Stars is a good fresh horse who will be resuming on Saturday without a trial. The 5YO has a great record on rain-affected tracks having won 5 times from 6 starts in the wet and he has as good a record over 1400m with 3 wins and a placing from 5 attempts at the trip. Ben Allen will settle just behind the pace from barrier 8 and Fifty Stars will go very close at the finish. Currently, Fifty Stars is at good each-way odds of $8.50 in the fixed odds market.
By Owens Wong, Editor
