Christian Jantzen from Sportsbet
PB LAWRENCE STAKES TIP – BLACK HEART BART – Race 7 No. 3
In a race that has thrown up plenty of roughies recently, the picture is by no means clear but even if Black Heart Bart isn’t at his best he maps beautifully. His track and distance record speaks for itself.
BEST – OMEI SWORD – Race 8 No. 7 (Sydney)
Thrown in on 53.5kg, flies fresh and will get a cosy run from the inside draw. Looks very hard to beat with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle. Clearly the class hose in this field.
VALUE – RUBY GURU– Race 6 No. 13 (Brisbane)
Ruby Guru goes around from barrier three. And with the services of Jeff Lloyd expect this horse to improve. Early markets went up to $51 but although shorter now the $21 available seems an attractive.
LAY – TRAPEZE ARTIST – Race 5 No. 1 (Sydney)
He showed a lot of promise in his first prep but looks poorly placed here conceding a lot of weight to a couple of smart ones. Will have to find a new level first-up if he is to win this race. Keen to take him on.
BACKED – JUKEBOX – Race 6 No. 4 (Melbourne)
Backed to take out more than $100,000, including a $7000 each-way bet. $5 seemed a conservative opening quote but the punters thought otherwise and backed it into $3.50.
Will Norman from Ladbrokes.com.au
PB LAWRENCE STAKES TIP – HARTNELL – Race 7 No. 2
Terrific last preparation first-up when running second to Winx in the Apollo Stakes. There’s no Winx here and he will appreciate the likely soft conditions as well.
BEST – MANIAS – Race 9 No. 14 (Brisbane)
Racing well this preparation and draws to get the perfect run just off speed. Comes out of a strong rating race last start and only needs to repeat his rating to go close.
VALUE – YABL DABL DOYA – Race 4 No. 9 (Brisbane)
Has found form this preparation racing consistently. Drops down to 51kg and despite his first time at the distance I think he will be finishing off strongly.
LAY – JUKEBOX – Race 6 No. 4 (Melbourne)
Never produced exceptional figures despite winning both starts as a two-year-old. I thought he looked only fair when pushed out in a recent jumpout and can take him on at the short price.
BACKED – JACLYN – Race 3 No. 8 (Adelaide)
Jacyln has been well-supported from $6.50 to $3.80 with the right money coming early for the David Jolly-trained filly. She was impressive on debut and has trialled well recently.
Gareth Phillips from Betstar
PB LAWRENCE STAKES TIP – STAR EXHIBIT – Race 7 No. 7
Won at his first start for Darren Weir back in April which made his record three from four wins first-up. Appeals at a good price in what is an open race.
BEST – HAVASAY – Race 8 No. 10 (Brisbane)
He is flying at the moment with dominant wins his past two starts. Looks well placed to notch up the hat-trick here at set weights. He was dominant at Grafton before cruising home at the track last time.
VALUE – GIBRALTAR GIRL – Race 9 No. 6 (Sydney)I have been waiting for her to resume for months after her luckless ninth at Scone. She has had two excellent trials and Peter and Paul Snowden team look to have her ready for a first-up win.
LAY – GAME OF WAR– Race 5 No. 4 (Adelaide)
Up to a mile for the first time, on a heavy track and jumps from an outside barrier. With a few obstacles to overcome he seems far too skinny in the market, especially in a big field.
BACKED – EMBLEY – Race 4 No. 6 (Sydney)
Punter have stepped into this Bjorn Baker-trained runner that is thirdup on Saturday. He’s been $9 into $7 and is shaping as a bad result for us.
Thomas Hackett from bookmaker.com.au
PB LAWRENCE STAKES TIP – HARTNELL – Race 7 No. 2
He has never previously won in Australia first-up but he has produced a couple of huge first-up ratings when chasing Winx home. He is the best horse in this field and there are queries over his main rivals.
BEST – DIXIE BLOSSOMS – Race 7 No. 2 (Sydney)
Dixie Blossoms is never far away first-up and she looks well-placed in the Toy Show Quality. Her barrier trial was excellent, she makes her own luck right on the speed and also has Hugh Bowman.
VALUE – THEANSWERMYFRIEND - Race 3 No. 2 (Melbourne)
Theanswermyfriend will be better over further but he is the class galloper in a field that really does lack quality. He is capable of reeling off some massive sectionals and he could run his rivals off their feet.
LAY – JUKEBOX – Race 6 No. 4 (Melbourne)
Jukebox is a horse that really was all hype with not a great deal of substance as a two-year-old. This is easily the toughest test of his racing career and he could get found out in a race of this quality.
BACKED – OMEI SWORD– Race 8 No. 7 (Sydney)
She has had her problems with injuries in recent preparations but punters are confident that she can make a winning return to the races in the Show County. She is $3.60 into $2.30 and could start shorter.
Grant Palmer from PalmerBet
PB LAWRENCE STAKES TIP – HARTNELL – Race 7 No. 2
Short of his best trip however, there is no Winx in this race. Looked strong in a recent track gallop and we expect him to be in for a big spring.
BEST – DIXIE BLOSSOMS – Race 7 No. 2 (Sydney)
Looks to have found the right race here. She performs best at her home track, flies fresh and trialled strongly leading in. If she can jump on terms we expect her to be winning.
VALUE – SANTA ANA LANE – Race 8 No. 7 (Melbourne)
Better suited back to Caulfield and he looks to get a dream run sitting just off a hot speed. Only needs to hold his form to be featuring in the finish.
LAY – OMEI SWORD – Race 8 No. 7 (Sydney)
She has untapped ability but we are keen to take her on at the even money from gate one. At a trip short of her best she will be back in the field and need luck to get clear galloping room and a crack at them.
BACKED – OMEI SWORD – Race 8 No. 7 (Sydney)
She is a popular runner every time she steps out and once again there has been a stack of early money for her. She should start a dominant favourite.
Josh Rose from Luxbet
PB LAWRENCE STAKES TIP – HARTNELL – Race 7 No. 2
Class galloper that will be suited over further but this looks the perfect race for him to resume in. He will be looking to stamp his spring credentials early and looks very hard to hold out.
BEST – DIXIE BLOSSOMS – Race 7 No. 2 (Sydney)
Terrific mare that resumes here and has trialled impressively for her return. She maps beautifully from barrier five and the intentions are shown with Hugh Bowman booked to ride. The one to beat.
VALUE – DAYSEE DOOM – Race 8 No. 5 (Sydney)
Bonny mare that always runs well and can add to her terrific strike rate here. She can lead or sit handy and has the stamina to do it at both ends. Looks the one they all have to catch.
LAY – JUKEBOX – Race 6 No. 4 (Melbourne)
Unbeaten colt resuming in what looks an incredibly deep race on paper. The is numerous angles and formlines which pose a threat to him here and he just looks too well found. Happy to take him on.
BACKED – BRAVE SMASH – Race 8 No. 11 (Melbourne)
Japanese import that looks the most intriguing runner for the day. The weight of money suggests that he is ready to go and a win could see him progress onto richer targets. Has been $4.60 into $3.80.
Wayne Symons from Unibet
PB LAWRENCE STAKES TIP – HARTNELL – Race 7 No. 2
I’m going with the Godolphin runner purely on the basis that the track will be in the soft range. He ran a great race behind Winx when resuming in the Apollo last prep and a repeat of that run will win this.
BEST – MY TAGOSON – Race 3 No. 11 (Sydney)
This boy put the writing on the wall last start at Rosehill in a highway, just needs a little luck given his pattern of getting back. He was strong to the line last start and the step up to 1600m is ideal.
VALUE – EBENOS – Race 4 No. 9 (Sydney)
This Peter and Paul Snowden-trained gelding is building well and is likely to peak here. I can see him reaching a new career peak and if so he will be hard to beat in an open race. Can’t miss each-way.
LAY – DIXIE BLOSSOMS – Race 7 No. 2 (Sydney)
This Ron Quinton-trained mare has never missed a place when resuming but I think she is rock bottom odds here in this Group III. She bumps into some handy types and will go around unders for mine.
BACKED – BRAVE SMASH – Race 8 No. 11 (Melbourne)
Former Japanese entire that is a Listed winner and Group III placed, now with Darren Weir. The punters think he’ll be winning on his Australian debut and have smashed him from $8 into $3.90.
PB LAWRENCE STAKES TIP – BLACK HEART BART – Race 7 No. 3
Going with the obvious here. He loves the track with five wins in six starts, races well fresh and many of these will be looking for further. Can’t ignore him. He’s the one to beat.
BEST – ARRESTAR – Race 3 No. 14 (Sydney)
Hard to look past a Matthew Dunn runner in a Highway Handicap and with a good barrier and a strong win last start in solid company, he should be very tough to beat again here.
VALUE – PETROSSIAN – Race 4 No. 4 (Sydney)
He ran a good race last start in what was definitely tougher company than this. I like the step up to the 1400m and as long as he gets an easy enough time up front he’ll give a great sight at odds.
LAY – HARTNELL – Race 7 No. 2 (Melbourne)
He’s never won first-up from seven attempts and although his class will take him a long way here, he’s aiming for bigger scalps throughout the spring. Will be cheering him on at a later date.
BACKED – OMEI SWORD – Race 8 No. 7 (Sydney)
It’ll be 12 months between wins if she salutes here. She’s the class runner of the field with a Group I second in last year’s Golden Rose. Punters were quick to jump on at $4 and she’s continued to firm.
Nick Heathcote from Betfair
PB LAWRENCE STAKES TIP – HE’S OUR ROKKI – Race 7 No. 8
Happy to ignore his last two starts on rain affected ground as his best form is on dry. Twice a winner this track and distance, goes like a bomb fresh and can slide forward from an inside draw.
BEST – DIXIE BLOSSOMS – Race.7 No.2 (Sydney)
Looked great in a recent Randwick trial that was full of topliners. This track and distance is in her sweet spot and with a midfield position in run she’ll be hard to hold out with Hugh Bowman on board.
VALUE – COMIN’ THROUGH – Race.4 No.2 (Sydney)
Trialled well enough to make her presence felt here with 52kg on her back. There’s plenty of speed in the race and if the splits come she has the acceleration to win.
LAY – WINX– Race.6 No.7 (Sydney)
Despite being a champion I’m happy to lay her first-up off a trial that wasn’t as impressive as previous ones. She’s $1.10 in early betting so the risk v reward proposition appeals and hopefully all ride to beat her.
BACKED – BRAVE SMASH – Race.8 No.11 (Melbourne)
There’s plenty of money lined up for Winx at $1.10 but the other runner of interest is the Japanese import Brave Smash. Had a quiet trial at Mortlake and has been specked on the minimum here.
Johnny Aitken from William Hill
PB LAWRENCE STAKES TIP – HARTNELL – Race 7 No. 2
Only Winx has beaten him at 1400m and if that’s anything to go by it’s his race to lose. His fresh run last prep behind Winx was full of merit and a repeat of that effort suggests he’ll be hard to beat here.
BEST – CATCHY – Race 5 No. 1 (Melbourne)
Blue Diamond winner resuming since her last start flop on the heavy deck in the Golden Slipper. Her campaign prior to that was outstanding when winning four on the trot. She’s clearly the class runner.
VALUE – WAIT FOR NO ONE – Race 6 No. 3 (Melbourne)Wait For No One will do exactly that. Expect he’ll jump straight to the lead and give them something to chase. Last start he led up the straight only to be narrowly run down. Should give a good sight.
LAY – CALCULATED – Race 5 No. 6 (Sydney)
Talented colt by So You Think that on paper has shown a great deal of talent, however he faces his toughest task to date. He meets a field of four last start winners and is no value at the price.
BACKED – BRAVE SMASH – Race 8 No. 11 (Melbourne)
We put up $5.50 about this Japanese import and he was immediately backed into $4. This is his first run in Australia and is yet to be seen publicly, suggesting there are whispers that he’s ready to win.
Matt Campbell from CrownBet
PB LAWRENCE STAKES TIP – HARTNELL – Race 7 No. 2
Has never won first-up before but his last two fresh runs have been second to Winx. No Winx here and Craig Williams on board for first run at Caulfield a huge bonus.
BEST – OREGON’S DAY – Race 2. No. 5 (Melbourne)
First-up, last time fresh ran a good second to Fuhryk in a Group III. She’s a classy mare and while the 1100m might be a bit short I think there’s enough speed in the race for her to get over the top of them.
VALUE – SHE’S SO HIGH – Race 5 No. 11 (Melbourne)Sharp rise in grade but really liked her win first-up. Tough assignment taking on the likes of Catchy and Crown Witness I but think she might measure up on her home track.
LAY – ALIZEE – Race 1 No. 5 (Sydney)
Nothing really against the Godolphin runner but I’m just keen on the Bjorn Baker-trained Champagne Cuddles fresh. Think the market should be the other way around.
BACKED – CATCHY – Race 5 No. 1 (Melbourne)
We put up $3 and that was quickly taken and so far one in every two bets is on the Blue Diamond winner, so punters are expect her to fly first-up.