The feature race at Caulfield this Saturday is the PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m), where Cosmic Crusader dominates betting.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for 2026 PB Lawrence Stakes.
2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Private Eye: Private Eye looks the each way gamble of the weekend. He is a star for Joe Pride that won this race last year off a similar set up, one strong trial and dodging the big boys and girls in Sydney in preference for this. He should land on speed and take beating.
2. Evaporate: Might be alone on this hill, but I think this guy is very much overrated. I don’t think he’s a genuine G1 animal. He can win, but without me.
3. Attrition: Talented horse but happy to just watch.
4. Desert Lightning: Ripper animal that looks to have jumped out well and should lob into a good spot. One for exotics.
5. Pinstriped: Veteran who was good late fresh behind Coeur Volante. Maps to get the suck run and is a proven track/distance performer.
6. Feroce: Gee he looks unders. Thought he was found out in the Autumn and this is a strong race to resume in. He goes through to the keeper.
7. Cosmic Crusader: Cosmic Crusader clearly commands respect after his Bletchingly romp three weeks ago. Did he beat much? I say no, but the manner in which he went about it was ultra impressive. Fitter and up in trip, he’ll take a power of beating.
8. Wootton Verni: Wootton Verni is a class animal that resumes for Chris Waller. He was hit and miss in the Autumn but when he is on, I think he can measure up at Group l level. He has trialled super, so keen to see how he goes.
9. Soul Of Spain: One to watch from a Caulfield Cup perspective.
10. Regal Zeus: Good racing style but has done nothing this time in. Not for me.
11. Kings Valley: Happy to just watch.
12. Coeur Volante: Flying, hard fit and racing well…but this looks a bridge too far.
13. Ohope Wins: She’s a star and will be strong late…she’s a must for exotics.
2026 PB Lawrence Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Private Eye
2026 PB Lawrence Stakes Speed Map
I think Private Eye and Regal Zeus will be the front pair. Whether Nash holds up on Private Eye or opts for a sit, whichever. I think he gets run of the race. Desert Lightning and Pinstriped should get good runs in behind if they’re ridden with intent.
PB Lawrence Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PRIVATE EYE | Joseph Pride | Nash Rawiller | 12 | 59kg |
| 2 | EVAPORATE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Blake Shinn | 11 | 59kg |
| 3 | ATTRITION | Mitchell Freedman | Ethan Brown | 5 | 59kg |
| 4 | DESERT LIGHTNING (NZ) | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 3 | 59kg |
| 5 | PINSTRIPED | Enver Jusufovic | Lachlan Neindorf | 4 | 59kg |
| 6 | FEROCE (NZ) | Dominic Sutton | Billy Egan | 9 | 59kg |
| 7 | COSMIC CRUSADER (NZ) | Andrea Leek | William Pike | 8 | 59kg |
| 8 | WOOTTON VERNI (FR) | Chris Waller | 7 | 59kg | |
| 9 | SOUL OF SPAIN (IRE) | Chris Waller | 10 | 59kg | |
| 10 | REGAL ZEUS | John McArdle | Jamie Mott | 13 | 59kg |
| 11 | KINGS VALLEY (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | 2 | 59kg | |
| 12 | COEUR VOLANTE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Ms Jamie Melham | 6 | 57kg |
| 13 | OHOPE WINS (NZ) | Chris Waller | 1 | 56.5kg |
PB Lawrence Stakes Odds
