Wez Hunter has been understandably thrilled with the results posted by Smokin’ Joey through a standout 2015 campaign so far, and is confident the popular gelding is forward enough for continued success in Saturday’s featured Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Smokin’ Joey posted several impressive results through the recent Autumn Carnival, but has arguably been most impressive in his two most recent starts; taking out the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich on June 13^th before returning for a resounding two length win in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 25^th.

Hunter is thrilled with the condition gained by the son of Encosta De Lago since his Bletchingly Stakes return and believes the pace likely-to-be injected into the PB Lawrence Stakes by The Cleaner could play to the eight-year-old’s favour.

“I think he’s gone forward, so I’m happy,” Hunter told Racing Ahead.

“I was a little bit surprised how easy he did it because he only had one gallop in five weeks so I thought he might be a little bit vulnerable but he never looked like being beaten.

“There should be good speed with Mick’s (Burles) horse (The Cleaner) in there, so I can imagine he’ll be back half of the field and outside; sweeping home hopefully like he did last time.

“If you were first-up it can really rip the guts out of them chasing for so long but I think the good thing for our bloke is he hasn’t had a big break and has that residual fitness.”

Hunter is yet to set a specific target for Smokin’ Joey beyond the PB Lawrence, but confirmed a step-up in distance may still come to fruition this season.

“We’ll just see how he goes, how he comes through it and then probably to the Memsie in a fortnight or maybe even step up in trip, we’ll just wait and see,” Hunter added.

Securing nine wins and a further eight minors through 53 competitive starts so far, Smokin’ Joey returned this year for a credible fourth in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) in January; progressing to success in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) before running a close second to Suavito in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) most notably on February 28^th.

The best 2015 PB Lawrence Stakes odds are currently available with leading online bookie Ladbrokes.com.au, and Smokin’ Joey remains outright $3.50 favourite for success.