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The 2026 PB Lawrence Stakes ran on Saturday, August 15, 2026 as a key early lead-up to the spring majors and saw the Andrea Leek-trained favourite Cosmic Crusader ($2.50F) salute for the punters and keep his flawless Caulfield record intact.  

The 2026 P.B. Lawrence Stakes returns as one of Caulfield’s most important early spring-launch races, and Races.com.au readers are already chasing the latest P.B. Lawrence Stakes odds and expert P.B. Lawrence Stakes betting insights for this weight-for-age Group 2. Traditionally a key starting point for elite middle-distance horses and proven Group performers resuming, the race regularly produces telling market shifts, strong Caulfield-specific form lines and early clues for the upcoming spring features. With returning stars, fit winter campaigners and tactical pace scenarios all shaping the betting picture, this page delivers the essential trends, stats and value angles punters need — your complete Races.com.au guide to one of Melbourne’s most influential early-season contests.

2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Results

Stay tuned for the official 2026 PB Lawrence Stakes results and finishing order at Caulfield on Saturday, August 15, 2026 and to see what runners could have a Memsie Stakes target on the horizon.

• 1st: No. 7 Cosmic Crusader ($2.50F)
• 2nd: No. 1 Private Eye
• 3rd: No. 2 Evaporate

Winning Margin: 0.75 lengths

Winning Time: 1:24.16

Cosmic Crusader ($2.50F) delivered another polished Caulfield performance on Saturday, sweeping to a decisive victory in the 2026 PB Lawrence Stakes results and extending his unbeaten Melbourne streak to two after last month’s Bletchingly Stakes success. William Pike, who flew east to partner the Maurice gelding for the first time, angled him into clear air at the bend and the six-year-old immediately took control, cruising past Evaporate and turning back the inside challenge of Private Eye to score with authority. The win rewarded owner Bob Peters, who set aside his long-held travel superstition to be on course, and further validated Andrea Leek’s Melbourne spring raid aimed at bigger prizes. Now a 10-time winner with more than $1.8 million banked, Cosmic Crusader heads to the Group 1 Memsie Stakes in two weeks as a leading contender, shaping as a horse only getting stronger with each run.

2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Odds & Finishing Order

See below for the latest PB Lawrence Stakes odds followed by the official finishing order after the event this winter.

2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider PB Lawrence Stakes 2026 Tips on the important spring lead-up this season.

FULL 2026 PB LAWRENCE STAKES FIELD PREVIEW, TIPS & BEST BETS

The P.B. Lawrence Stakes is one of Melbourne’s key Group 2 weight-for-age races and a crucial early-spring form pointer at Caulfield, giving punters their first serious look at returning Group 1 horses, sharp triallers and rising middle-distance stars.

As a proven launching pad toward major spring features like the Memsie, Makybe Diva and Underwood, the P.B. Lawrence Stakes form guide highlights each runner’s WFA credentials, first-up record, trial form, Caulfield suitability, and overall readiness for a strong 1400m contest. With class, fitness, tempo and track pattern all central to success, the race remains a must-watch for punters chasing reliable Caulfield racing tips, Group race insights, and early-season form indicators.

The PB Lawrence Stakes is the first Group 2 race during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Held at Caulfield Racecourse in mid-August, the 1400m event is held on the same day as the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) for colts and geldings and the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) for the fillies. Worth $300,000 in prize money as of 2021, the weight-for-age race is open to all horses aged three years and over.

Formerly known as the JJ Liston Stakes, the race name was changed to the P.B. Lawrence Stakes in 2010.

The PB Lawrence Stakes is a nice lead up race to the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) held a fortnight later at Caulfield, which marks the start of elite level racing for the new season in Melbourne. The only horses to manage the P.B. Lawrence Stakes/Memsie Stakes double in the past 30 years are Regal Roller (2004) and Mr Brightside (2023) nearly a decade apart.

The PB Lawrence Stakes generally attracts an above average group of gallopers many eyeing a tougher run in something like October’s Group 1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley later in the season.

The PB Lawrence Stakes form from 2021 was franked with the winner, Sierra Sue, going on to win that spring’s Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and the following autumn’s 2022 Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m).

The 2022 PB Lawrence Stakes winner Mr Brightside franked the form returning in the autumn of 2023 to complete the All-Star Mile – Doncaster Mile double.

Mr Brightside returned in 2023 to become the first horse in 52 years to go back-to-back in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes results when saluting as the $2.35 favourite first-up.

He then franked the Lawrence Stakes form again taking out the Group 1 Memsie Stakes – Makybe Diva Stakes double in Melbourne at his next two starts. He then finished second in his three subsequent spring assignments at elite level in the King Charles III Stakes, Cox Plate, and Champions Mile. His autumn campaign in 2024 was equally as impressive and included wins in the CF Orr and Futurity Stakes.

The 2024 PB Lawrence Stakes form was franked with the winner, Gentleman Roy, running a next-up third in that year’s Memsie Stakes trifecta behind Pinstriped who won the Group 1 in on the back of a second in the PB Lawrence.

PB Lawrence Stakes
Date:	Saturday, August 15, 2026
Track:	Caulfield Racecourse
Distance:	1400m
Race Type:	Weight-for-age
Status:	Group 2
Prize Money:	$300,000

2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Betting

Betting market links to Ladbrokes offering the top PB Lawrence Stakes 2026 betting odds this Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival will be provided for punters at Races.com.au the week of the race.

Savatiano ($5 in 2020), Mr Brightside ($4 in 2022 and $2.35 in 2023), Private Eye ($3.10 in 2025) and Cosmic Crusader ($2.50 in 2026) are the latest favourites in the PB Lawrence Stakes odds to salute for the punters.

2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Form

The P.B. Lawrence Stakes form guide is your early-spring cheat sheet for understanding which Group 1 and Group 2 weight-for-age horses are forward enough to win first-up, which trial stars are ready to explode fresh, and how each runner maps around Caulfield’s 1400m. Because it’s Melbourne’s first major WFA race of the season, the form guide is packed with clues about class, fitness, tempo, and track pattern—making it one of the most important early-spring indicators for punters chasing spring racing tips and genuine spring-carnival form.

What the P.B. Lawrence Stakes Form Guide Actually Shows:

• Weight-for-age strength — Proven WFA horses often dominate; class is king at 1400m.
• First-up form — Many Lawrence winners strike fresh; punters should check who fires early.
• Trial form — Late-July trials reveal which runners are tuned up for a big first-up run.
• Caulfield suitability — Tactical speed is crucial around Caulfield’s tight turn and short straight.
• Race map — On-pace runners often hold an advantage; swoopers need the right tempo.

What Punters Should Look for on the PB Lawrence Stakes Form Guide:

• Class edge — Group 1/2 horses resuming often outclass rivals.
• Trial sharpness — Look for horses who have trialled with intent.
• Fitness vs talent — Some need the run; others are primed to win fresh.
• Stable intent — The Lawrence is often a stepping-stone; knowing the stable’s plan helps.

FULL 2026 PB LAWRENCE STAKES FORM GUIDE

2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Field

The official PB Lawrence Stakes 2026 field and barriers featuring a host of Group 1 bound gallopers will be announced by Racing Victoria the Wednesday leading up to the race and detailed below.

The 2026 PB Lawrence Stakes final field features a cracking line-up of spring hopefuls including the widely drawn Joe Pride-trained veteran galloper Private Eye and Group 1 champ Cosmic Crusader who was huge fresh in the Bletchingly Stakes.

No	Last 10	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight	Probable Weight	Penalty	Hcp Rating
1	24152x365x	PRIVATE EYE	Joseph Pride	Nash Rawiller	12	59kg			113
2	1233x4299x	EVAPORATE (NZ)	Ben, Will & JD Hayes	Blake Shinn	11	59kg			109
3	933246x80x	ATTRITION	Mitchell Freedman	Ethan Brown	5	59kg			109
4	1595x4180x	DESERT LIGHTNING (NZ)	Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman	Luke Nolen	3	59kg			110
5	x7957645x4	PINSTRIPED	Enver Jusufovic	Lachlan Neindorf	4	59kg			106
6	x6380x272x	FEROCE (NZ)	Dominic Sutton	Billy Egan	9	59kg			107
7	x1133112x1	COSMIC CRUSADER (NZ)	Andrea Leek	William Pike	8	59kg			110
8	411x75516x	WOOTTON VERNI (FR)	Chris Waller	Ben Melham	7	59kg			108
9	123x94262x	SOUL OF SPAIN (IRE)	Chris Waller	Craig Williams	10	59kg			106
10	5010114×00	REGAL ZEUS	John McArdle	Jamie Mott	13	59kg			104
11	4235x9191x	KINGS VALLEY (IRE)	Ciaron Maher	John Allen	2	59kg			96
12	0x00x31114	COEUR VOLANTE (NZ)	Ben, Will & JD Hayes	Ms Jamie Melham	6	57kg			106
13	55211141x	OHOPE WINS (NZ)	Chris Waller	Damian Lane	1	56.5kg			106

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Nominations

PB Lawrence Stakes 2026 nominations close the Monday of race week with the full list of early entries to be published here once announced.

PB Lawrence Stakes History

First won by One Up in 1949, the JJ Liston Stakes was a 10 furlong race until 1968 when it became a 7 furlong race until 1972. After it became a 1400m race, it was quickly elevated to Group Two status.

Since its inauguration My Peak (1960, 1962) and Tauto (1971, 1972) were the only horses to successfully win the race twice before the back-to-back wins by Mr Brightside (2022 and 2023) a half-century later.

The 2007 winner Apache Cat ran a successful campaign after his PB Lawrence Stakes win as he ran second in the Makybe Diva Stakes and then won several Group 1 races. Apache Cat also holds the race’s fastest winning time record with 1 minute 22.1 seconds.

Plenty of classy horses have won the PB Lawrence Stakes in recent years including five-time Group 1 winner Shoot Out who went on to win dual editions of Sydney’s Chipping Norton Stakes and Cox Plate / Melbourne Cup place-getter Hartnell.

In 2019 the PB Lawrence Stakes was won by classy filly Mystic Journey who won the inaugural $5 million The All-Star Mile at Flemington off the back of her Group 1 Australian Guineas success when becoming the first elite level winner trained in Tasmania for over 100 years that autumn.

Mr Brightside (2022-23) is the latest dual PB Lawrence Stakes champion.

Lindsay Park Racing made it three straight wins in the event in 2024 with Gentleman Roy saluting for the stable.

Recent PB Lawrence Stakes Winners

Year	Place	Horse	Time
2026 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Cosmic Crusader	1 minute 24.16 seconds
	2nd	Private Eye
	3rd	Evaporate
2025 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Private Eye	1 minute 25.96 seconds
	2nd	Desert Lightning
	3rd	Here To Shock
2024 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Gentleman Roy	1 minute 22.54 seconds
	2nd	Pinstriped
	3rd	Pericles
2023 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Mr Brightside	1 minute 21.71 seconds
	2nd	Pinstriped
	3rd	Aegon
2022 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Mr Brightside	1 minute 22.67 seconds
	2nd	I Am Superman
	3rd	Buffalo River
2021 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Sierra Sue	1 minute 23.12 seconds
	2nd	Angel Of Truth
	3rd	Red Can Man
2020 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Savatiano	1 minute 24.29 seconds
	2nd	Sircconi
	3rd	Kings Will Dream
2019 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Mystic Journey	1 minute 24.46 seconds
	2nd	Cliff’s Edge
	3rd	Hartnell
2018 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Showtime	1 minute 23.6 seconds
	2nd	Hartnell
	3rd	Widgee Turf
2017 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Hartnell	1 minute 24.0 seconds
	2nd	Charmed Harmony
	3rd	Black Heart Bart
2016 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Miss Rose De Lago	1 minute 24.8 seconds
	2nd	Jacquinot Bay
	3rd	Entirely Platinum
2015 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Mourinho	1 minute 23.54 seconds
	2nd	The Cleaner
	3rd	Dibayani
2014 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Star Rolling	1 minute 24.37 seconds
	2nd	Spillway
	3rd	Gig
2013 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Puissance De Lune	1 minute 24.26 seconds
	2nd	Ajeeb
	3rd	Second Effort
2012 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Second Effort	1 minute 27.67 seconds
	2nd	Zamorar
	3rd	Ready To Rip
2011 PB Lawrence Stakes	1st	Whobegotyou	1 minute 23.9 seconds
	2nd	Lights Of Heaven
	3rd	Prince Obama
2010 JJ Liston Stakes	1st	Shoot Out	1 minute 27.28 seconds
	2nd	Predatory Pricer
	3rd	Heart Of Dreams
2009 JJ Liston Stakes	1st	Predatory Pricer	1 minute 23.4 seconds
	2nd	Whobegotyou
	3rd	Typhoon Tracy
2008 JJ Liston Stakes	1st	Light Fantastic	1 minute 24.7 seconds
	2nd	Weekend Hussler
	3rd	Maldivian
2007 JJ Liston Stakes	1st	Apache Cat	1 minute 22.1 seconds
	2nd	Marasco
	3rd	Maldivian
2006 JJ Liston Stakes	1st	Pompeii Ruler	1 minute 23.6 seconds
	2nd	Red Dazzler
	3rd	Our Smoking Joe
2005 JJ Liston Stakes	1st	Lad Of The Manor	1 minute 27.9 seconds
	2nd	Our Smoking Joe
	3rd	Super Elegant
2004 JJ Liston Stakes	1st	Regal Roller	1 minute 26.3 seconds
	2nd	Amtrak
	3rd	Le Zagaletta
2003 JJ Liston Stakes	1st	Super Elegant	1 minute 24.4 seconds
	2nd	Vocabulary
	3rd	Walk On Air
2002 JJ Liston Stakes	1st	Sports	1 minute 23.2 seconds
	2nd	Le Zagaletta
	3rd	Tully Thunder
2001 JJ Liston Stakes	1st	Le Zagaletta	1 minute 25.5 seconds
	2nd	Inaflury
	3rd	Umrum
2000 JJ Liston Stakes	1st	Skoozi Please	1 minute 25.2 seconds
	2nd	Go Flash Go
	3rd	Ad Alta

PB Lawrence Stakes FAQs

What is the P.B. Lawrence Stakes?
The P.B. Lawrence Stakes is a Group 2 weight-for-age race run at Caulfield and acts as one of Melbourne’s key early spring-launch features, often used by top stables to kick off campaigns for elite middle-distance horses.

When is the 2026 P.B. Lawrence Stakes?
The 2026 edition takes place in mid-August, signalling the start of Caulfield’s early-spring racing build-up.

What distance is the P.B. Lawrence Stakes run over?
The race is run over 1400 metres, a key early-season trip that highlights tactical speed, strong first-up form and proven weight-for-age credentials.

How many horses run in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes?
Field sizes typically sit around 10-14 runners, giving punters a compact, high-quality lineup of resuming stars and fit winter campaigners.

Where is the P.B. Lawrence Stakes held?
The race is run at Caulfield Racecourse, a track known for its sharp turns, fast-run tempo and reliable early-spring form lines.

What type of horses target the P.B. Lawrence Stakes?
Expect a mix of proven Group performers resuming, middle-distance specialists, and fitness-forward types looking to strike early ahead of bigger Melbourne spring features.

What should punters look for in P.B. Lawrence Stakes betting?
Key factors include 1400m form, Caulfield track stats, first-up strike rates, speed-map position and stable intent — all crucial when analysing P.B. Lawrence Stakes odds and shaping confident early-spring betting plays.

Who are some notable past winners?
The race has produced several high-class performers over the years, with many using the P.B. Lawrence Stakes as a launching pad into major Group 1 races later in the spring, including Mr Brightside (2022-23), Mystic Journey (2019), Hartnell (2017), Puissance De Lune (2013), Whobegotyou (2011), Shoot Out (2010), Light Fantastic (2008), and Apache Cat (2007).