Puissance De Lune has been included in the 2014 P.B. Lawrence Stakes nominations and is set to make his return to racing in the Group 2 event at Caulfield on Saturday.
Puissance De Lune and Foreteller are a chance of clashing again in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Puissance De Lune has not been seen at the races since he suffered a tendon injury when 12th in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26, but has impressed in a couple of exhibition gallops and jump outs since beginning preparation for his spring campaign.
The Shamardal entire won the P.B. Lawrence Stakes in impressive fashion last year and has the opportunity to become the first horse since Tauto in 1972 to win the P.B. Lawrence Stakes in back-to-back years.
Foreteller denied Puissance De Lune a maiden Group 1 victory in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival and could have the chance to score another big over the popular grey after he was included in the nominations for the P.B. Lawrence Stakes.
The Dansili gelding was sent to the spelling paddock after he was found to be lame following a disappointing performance in the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5, but trainer Chris Waller is hoping that the tough gelding can return to the form he showed during his spring campaign last year.
Another potential Group 1 contender that will be starting their 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign is Peter Moody-trained Lidari.
Lidari won the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) in impressive fashion during his autumn campaign, but was slightly outclassed at Group 1 level in both the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 29 and the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.
Moody is yet to decide on a spring goal for the Acclamation entire, but he has been included in the nominations for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).
The leading Victorian trainer has also included the promising Kitten On The Run and injury-plagued Brambles in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes nominations.
Nigel Blackiston is also a chance of having multiple runners in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes after he included Desert Jeuney and Melbourne Cup hopeful Let’s Make Adeal in the nominations for the Group 2 event.
Imported stayer Spillway ended his autumn campaign with an impressive two and a half lengths victory in the Group 3 Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 26 and will start his Caulfield Cup campaign in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes, while Star Rolling is another that is on track to begin his spring preparation in the $200,000 race.
One runner that could be taking a fitness edge into the 2014 P.B. Lawrence Stakes is Lloyd Kennewell-trained Thiamandi.
Thiamandi scores back-to-back wins at Morphettville and Caulfield before he made his debut at Group level with an upset win over Lord Of The Sky in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on January 26.
The Street Boss mare has previously been known as a short course specialist, but gave the impression in the Bletchingly Stakes that she could be able to run out the 1400 metres of the P.B. Lawrence Stakes.
Consistent mare Gig, veteran gelding Mr Make Believe, Aurie’s Star Handicap placegetter Zamorar, experienced stayer Excluded, nine-year-old Kincaple and Damien Williams-trained Morant round out the 2014 P.B. Lawrence Stakes nominations.
