Group One winner Smokin’ Joey has been an early firmer into favouritism for the P B Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield.
The eight-year-old gelding will be out to add Saturday’s Group Two P B Lawrence Stakes to his recent Bletchingly Stakes win with Shoot Out the last horse to win both races in 2010.
The TAB Smokin’ Joey at $4.60 on Wednesday but he has firmed to $3.60 and assumed favouritism over ex-Hong Kong galloper Dibayani ($3.90) and Doncaster Prelude winner Excess Knowledge ($4).
The latter two are both first-up on Saturday in the 1400m weight-for-age race.
Smokin’ Joey will be ridden by young jockey Chris Parnham who has won two Group Three races on the gelding already this year at Caulfield.
Smokin’ Joey won the Eye Liner Stakes in Queensland during the winter carnival and returned after a let-up to win the Bletchingly Stakes last month.
Unbeaten filly Petits Filous is the $2 favourite for the Group Three Quezette Stakes (1100m) after opening at $2.30 while Ragazzo Del Corsa is the $2.90 favourite in the Group Three Vain Stakes (1100m).
Sardaaj, a Group One placegetter in New Zealand heads betting at $5 for the Listed Regal Roller Stakes which will be her first start for Hawkes Racing.
