David Hayes has both Petrology and Dibayani in the 2015 P.B. Lawrence Stakes and he has revealed that Petrology may be his best chance in the Group 2 event at Caulfield on Saturday.
Petrology is one of two David Hayes-trained runners in the 2015 P.B. Lawrence Stakes. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett
Petrology failed to perform at his best during the 2015 Melbourne Festival Of Racing, but he returned to racing with a solid third behind Smokin’ Joey and Platinum Rocker in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 25.
Hayes believes that Petrology took plenty of benefit out of his first-up run and he is confident that the Fastnet Rock entire can produce a much improved effort in the 2015 P.B. Lawrence Stakes this weekend.
“He just needed the run,” Hayes said.
“This horse gets better as he gets into his preparation and I think he can improve dramatically.
“He has drawn awkwardly, but he likes to go back from the barrier.
“I would lean to Petrology with the race fitness, but I am not confident in saying that.”
Dibayani has not been seen at the races since he failed to fire in the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy (1600m) in October of last year, but he made his first public appearance with an impressive jump-out at Flemington last week.
The Shamardal gelding has form around the likes of Designs On Rome, Military Attack and Able Friend in Hong Kong and Hayes is confident that he will have a good 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign, but admits that a lack of race fitness may hurt the five-year-old in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes.
“I really liked Dibayani’s trial, but I am mindful that he hasn’t raced for a long time,” Hayes said.
“His best form is outstanding and his trial down the straight was very, very good.
“He will race a bit fresh and he will only be improved by the run, but he is a high class import from Hong Kong that we think will have a good spring.”
Hayes is chasing his first win in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes after finishing a second with Spillway in 2014.
Dibayani is currently available at 2015 P.B. Lawrence Stakes odds of $4.20 with Ladbrokes and is on the second line of betting behind Bletchingly Stakes winner Smokin’ Joey ($3.50), while Petrology is priced at a quote of $7.50 and is on the fifth line of betting behind Gai Waterhouse-trained Excess Knowledge ($4.40) and market mover Mourinho ($6).
