Big Memory has been backed into 2015 P.B. Lawrence Stakes odds of $20 and the talented stayer is a clear market mover in betting markets for the Group 3 event that will be held at Caulfield on Saturday.
Big Memory will return to the races in the 2015 P.B. Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Big Memory has not been seen at the races since he failed to run out a strong 3200 metres in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Royal Randwick on April 11, but he impressed onlookers with his performance in a barrier trial at Morphettville on August 7.
Trainer Tony McEvoy admits that 1400 metres is well short of the pet distance for Big Memory, but he is happy with the physical condition of the horse and he believes that the Duke Of Marmalade gelding is ready to run well fresh in the 2015 P.B. Lawrence Stakes.
“I think that he is ready,” McEvoy told Racing Ahead.
“He pulled up very nicely from that trial the other day and it tightened him.
“He is forward enough to run well.
“Obviously 1400 is not his pet distance, but he has had two goes at it for two seconds in lesser class.
“He is a great competitor, he is a class horse and he will run well.”
Big Memory will likely be settled towards the tail of the field in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes and would normally be suited by a hot tempo, but McEvoy admits that he is concerned by the pace likely to be produced by The Cleaner.
McEvoy does not want Big Memory to be flattened by a tough first-up run behind The Cleaner and he has charged jockey Damien Oliver with looking after the five-year-old, but still expects him to hit the line strongly.
“There is tempo and then there is The Cleaner tempo,” McEvoy said.
“I would much prefer The Cleaner not to be in there because he gives horses very hard runs chasing him.
“Thankfully I have Damien on the horse and he will protect the horse, but if they don’t go too hard it will suit.”
Big Memory opened at 2015 P.B. Lawrence Stakes odds of $31 when the final field was released on Wednesday and he is now into $20, while Smokin’ Joey ($3.70) remains a narrow favourite from Gai Waterhouse-trained Excess Knowledge ($4.40), Hong Kong import Dibayani ($5), Australia Stakes winner Mourinho ($6.50) and promising entire Petrology ($7.50).
