Plenty of Value in 2018 PB Lawrence Stakes Betting

With Winx contesting her namesake race in Sydney on Saturday, an open field has been taken for the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) and we are set for an outstanding contest at Caulfield Racecourse. Four-year-old Grunt has not been seen at the races since early March, but he continued to receive the lion’s share of interest in early PB Lawrence betting and has firmed into outright $5.50 favouritism. The son of O’reilly debuted to racing for a credible fourth over this trip at Flemington in May last year and is since undefeated through four impressive performances. Having returned a far-more furnished horse at three, trainer Mick Price set the colt on a path towards the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) in autumn; flying home to win the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) first-up before taking up the running and never appearing in doubt in his campaign target; breaking through for a maiden win at the highest level. This is his first attempt in open company, but he’s trialled well in the lead-up to this race and has drawn ideally into the PB Lawrence Stakes field in barrier 6. Hartnell is the defending PB Lawrence Stakes winner and looks like terrific value in the race again at current $6.50 odds. The Authorized gelding continued to post impressive results without returning to the winner’s stall after this race last spring, before resuming this year for his third win at the highest level in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes at this track and distance. His next two runs were relatively flat, but he returned from a freshen-up to finish a credible fourth in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in late April. He is a horse that typically flies fresh, he clearly relishes this track and trip and should be looking to finish over the top of his rivals with Craig Williams aboard. Early Caulfield Cup favourite Kings Will Dream is yet to taste anything but success since arriving in Australia and is currently available at 2018 PB Lawrence Stakes odds of $13. The Casamento gelding will clearly improve as he steps out in trip, but he immediately stamped himself as a horse to follow when he won by three lengths over 1200m in his first run for master trainer Darren Weir in January. Repeating that effort and result over 1400m, 1600m and 1800m respectively, he took up the running in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) in March and made light work of the smart field; hitting the line more than five lengths ahead of Harrison. He’ll need to show some early pace from barrier 14, but he clearly a horse of immense talent and he can give them something to chase. Weir will be offered several good chances of saddling the 2018 PB Lawrence Stakes winner after also confirming Black Heart Bart ($7.50), Humidor ($16), Danon Liberty ($8.50), Big Duke ($101) and Red Cardinal ($34) for starts.