Classy galloper Whobegotyou can break through for an overdue fresh-up win in today's Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (race 6) at Caulfield.
The race, formerly known as the Liston Stakes, is being billed as a match race between Mark Kavanagh's Whobegotyou, the seasoned galloper well at home in this grade, and the untapped Lights Of Heaven, who has her first run at weight-for-age.
While last weekend's Aurie's Star Stakes is the first weight-for-age race of the new season, the Lawrence is generally regarded as the first “fair-dinkum” event for potential Cox Plate and Caulfield and Melbourne Cup contenders.
Whobegotyou, being aimed at the Cox Plate, typically kicks off at today's 1400m and his form is outstanding, albeit a little light on for wins.
The son of Street Cry won his debut start then in six fresh-up runs in the ensuing seasons he has finished runner-up every time.
One of those was in this race in 2009 when beaten a head by Predatory Pricer while last year Kavanagh waited until the Memsie, also over 1400m, where he also finished runner-up.
He then won the Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes before finishing third in the Group 1 Yalumba Stakes and third in the Group 1 Cox Plate behind So You Think.
He was held up for a run out the back in that race before flashing home into third, beaten 1.5 lengths, and the form has been well and truly franked since.
In the autumn, Whobegotyou started over 1400m again in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes where he flew home to finish runner-up before winning the Group 2 Blamey Stakes at his final run before a long spell.
With quite a long break, rather than wait to the Memsie in a fortnight Kavanagh has brought him back earlier and he makes his return in today's race.
The track and trip suits, his form is superb and with Damien Oliver aboard again he is the one to hold out.
He just needs the breaks at the right time and he'll be steaming home down the outside.
The in-form Peter Moody stable has the unbeaten Lights Of Heaven in the race and it's hard to know how she'll perform fresh.
The mare graduated from debut win to Group 1 class in just four starts last campaign, culminating with her 2000m success in the Schweppes Oaks in Adelaide.
That form is generally not regarded as Group 1 in the Melbourne spring but it's worth noting the runner-up from the Schweppes Oaks, Absolutely, then went to Sydney to win the AJC Oaks.
Left in her wake was Shamrocker, who had won the AJC Derby at her previous run so the form seems to stack up well.
Instead of pressing ahead to the autumn carnival with Lights Of Heaven, Moody decided to give her a spell and concentrate on the spring.
She opened equal favourite for the Caulfield Cup but is also among entries for the Cox Plate.
There's no doubt this is her toughest test to date.
It's her first try against the boys under the weights for age conditions.
Just three mares have won this race in the last 20 years and it's been over 10 years – since Inaflury in 1999, that a mare has been able to salute.
But it's also true this filly is untapped and has Moody excited about her prospects, saying she is the first horse to come through his system that looks capable of featuring in the big spring three of the Cups and Cox Plate.
It will certainly be interesting to see how she comes back.
That pair rate well above the others but worth including in the multiples is the race fit Time Matters.
He's honest, he'll be on the speed and will be in this for a long way.
Absolutely looks one of those classic Caulfield Cup style staying mares but she can sprint well fresh and should be getting home hard.
