Although spring is still more than three weeks away, there are early signs of it at Caulfield.
Saturday’s Caulfield meeting is headlined by the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m). Previously known as the J J Liston Stakes and held at Sandown, it was a customary starting point for horses preparing for the spring.
Prominent stayers would typically use the Sandown race as a launchpad for a weight-for-age campaign, aiming for major targets like the Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup, and Cox Plate.
In recent years, the P B Lawrence Stakes hasn’t held the same prominence, but this Saturday’s renewal features a competitive field of 13 runners, with nine of them resuming from a spell.
Leading trainer Chris Waller has entered three of his talented charges: Wootton Verni, Soul Of Spain, and Ohope Wins. With the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick and the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on the horizon, Waller aims to strategically separate his team.
“It’s just a starting point,” Waller said. “It just keeps them away from the Winx the following week, and the Memsie as they work their way towards nice middle-distance and staying races.”
All three horses are nominated for the Group 1 Cox Plate, this year to be run over 2000m at Flemington. They are also expected to be among the entries for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), with nominations closing next Tuesday, and the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington, where nominations are taken on September 1.
Ohope Wins is set to embark on her first full campaign under Waller’s guidance.
The New Zealand-bred four-year-old mare was previously trained in New Zealand by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, achieving victory in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks at Ellerslie in February before transferring to Waller’s stable for an autumn campaign in Sydney.
Following a fourth-place finish in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), Ohope Wins went on to claim the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick in April.
When questioned about Ohope Wins’ development, Waller indicated she had matured.
“She looks really good,” Waller said. “She has come back stronger, and she could run well fresh. She’s a talented horse.”
Waller has secured Damian Lane to ride Ohope Wins. This Saturday’s meeting marks the jockey’s first in Melbourne’s metropolitan area since early April, having recently completed a stint riding in Japan. Those seeking the best betting apps Australia will be keeping a close eye on these early spring performances.