The Lindsay Park stable of Ben Will and JD Hayes is looking to add another PB Lawrence Stakes trophy to their ever-expanding cabinet.
Ben and JD combined two years ago to win the 1400m race before Will joined the team when Mr Brightside made it back-to-back victories in the Group 2 race.
Mr Brightside will be missing from this year’s contest, but Lindsay Park will be represented by stable stalwarts Gentleman Roy, aiming for a third straight victory, and Nicolini Vito.
Gentleman has shown in the past he is up to Group 1 company, being first across the line in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Sandown last year, only to lose the race on protest to Jacquinot.
Ben Hayes said Gentleman Roy had been targeted at Saturday’s race after coming off a freshen up to claim a 1410m victory at Flemington on August 3.
“He had to be winning to warrant running in this race and he’s more than capable and there’s not many other options for him,” Hayes said.
“It’s a good race for him. He’s fit and it should suit his racing style.”
This year’s edition of the P B Lawrence may not be as strong as previous years.
Mr Brightside used Saturday’s race as a stepping stone to the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) in two weeks’ time but is targeting that race first-up this year as are a number of other contenders.
Hayes said this year’s edition looks highly suitable for Gentleman Roy.
“The last couple of years Mr Brightside has kicked off in it, but this year it may be a little weaker,” Hayes said.
“At his best, Gentleman Roy is a Group 1 horse, and I think he’s back to that.
“He’s a happy horse, he’s moving well. He likes a strong tempo and we’re looking forward to seeing how he goes.”
Hayes said Gentleman Roy was showing the signs that he was right back to his best after spending 11 months away from the racetrack with bone bruising.
“The plan was to give him a couple of runs early as he was coming back from a long time off,” Hayes said.
“He’s a very gross horse and takes a while to get fit and now that he’s older, like all of us, it takes us a little while to get fitter than when we were younger.
“Now that he’s fit, we’ll keep him and ticking over.”
Stablemate Nicolini Vito fits into a similar category to Gentleman Roy.
He was successful at Sandown in May before chasing his stablemate home at that track before a freshen up which saw him run fifth in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington at his most recent outing.
