An outstanding field is set to step out for the feature race at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday following this morning’s release of 2017 PB Lawrence Stakes nominations.

Hartnell leads an all-star list of 2017 PB Lawrence Stakes nominations. Photo: Steve Hart

Hartnell is likely to be set for an appearance in the Caulfield Cup this time and leads the outstanding list of 2017 PB Lawrence Stakes nominations.

Hartnell has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing tenure so far, but has undoubtedly found career-best form throughout the last twelve months.

Winner of the Group 2 Chelmsford Stake (1600m), Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) most notably last spring, the Authorized gelding also ran second behind Winx in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) before ending his year third in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Resuming this year for second behind Winx in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), Hartnell failed to fire in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m), before finished second in both the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

Darren Weir is set to launch a multiple-pronged attack in the feature race after lodging a total of six PB Lawrence Stakes nominations, including Black Heart Bart, Gailo Chop and Humidor.

A standout for Weir during last year’s Spring Carnival, Black Heart Bart won both the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) most notably, but also running second in both the Group 1 Maybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Ladbrokes Stakes (2000m).

Resuming this year for second in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m), the Blackfriars gelding posted consecutive wins in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m).

Returning from a freshen-up for seventh in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m), Black Heart Bart was last seen finishing fifth in the Group 1 Darley Kingsford-Smith (1300m) on May 27^th.

French import Gailo Chop is set to make his first appearance for the Weir stable, but is no stranger to Australian racing and is capable of winning the PB Lawrence Stakes first-up.

A multiple black type winner in his homeland, the OTI Racing runner made his first appearance in Australia whilst under the guidance of Andre Fabre in the 2015 Cox Plate and finished a credible eighth.

Leading from start to finish to win the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) one week later, the Deportivo gelding returned to Europe for only two starts last year and has not been seen at the races since finishing seventh in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) in March 2015.

Humidor was a revelation through the recent Autumn Carnival and will improve off whatever he does in the PB Lawrence.

Fourth in the Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) first-up in autumn, Humidor ran second in both the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) and Group 3 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) before storming home to win the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m).

Last seen finishing second behind Jameka in the Group 1 The BMW (2400m), Humidor has reportedly taken plenty of benefit from his time in the paddock.

Lindsay Park is also set to saddle several horses in the feature race after including He’s Our Rokkii, Seaburge and Tashbeeh in PB Lawrence Stakes nominations.

Five-time Group 1 champion Lankan Rupee will step out to 1400m for the first time after being included in PB Lawrence Stakes nominations.

Open an account and bet with Ladbrokes.com.au to take advantage of the best 2017 PB Lawrence Stakes odds!

2017 PB Lawrence Stakes Nominations