Twelve horses will line up in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes field at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday following the early scratching of leading contender Lankan Rupee and consistent performer Duke Of Brunswick.
Black Heart Bart currently leads 2017 PB Lawrence Stakes betting markets. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Black Heart Bart is virtually unbeatable on the 1400m course at Caulfield and leads the strong 2017 PB Lawrence Stakes field at a current $2.50 quote at Ladbrokes.com.au.
A multiple Group 1 winner at the course and distance, Black Heart Bart resumed in spring last year for a smart win in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) and continued to impress throughout his subsequent campaign, which also delivered a comfortable triumph in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m).
Resuming this year for second in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m), the Blackfriars gelding posted consecutive wins in the Group 1 Ladbrokes CF Orr Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Ladbrokes Futurity Stakes (1400m), both at Caulfield.
While failing to fire at his two most-recent appearances, Black Heart Bart has drawn ideally into the PB Lawrence Stakes field and will be ridden by regular hoop Brad Rawiller.
Trainer Darren Weir will saddle a total of six runners in the PB Lawrence Stakes field, with the likes of Tosen Stardom ($9) and Humidor ($9) set to join Black Heart Bart.
Tosen Stardom has only made three starts since being purchased and transferred to the care of Weir, but has been strong and consistent and would not look out of place in the PB Lawrence Stakes winner’s stall.
The Deep Impact entire resumed this year for second in the Futurity Stakes, before also running second behind Palentino in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m).
Group 1 winner Humidor is undoubtedly one of the class horses in the PB Lawrence Stakes field, but may require a run and more distance to find his best form.
Godolphin horse Hartnell ($3.20) is arguably the best horse in the 2017 PB Lawrence Stakes field and should prove extremely tough to beat first-up.
The Authorized gelding has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing career so far, but undoubtedly found his best form through last year’s edition of the Spring Carnival.
Second behind Winx in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) first-up, Hartnell one each of the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m), Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) by a combined seventeen lengths.
Again finishing second to Winx in the Cox Plate (2040m), Hartnell ended his campaign third in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) and while unable to return to winning form in autumn, placed second in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) most notably.
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