Lindsay Park co-trainer Tom Dabernig is hopeful that European import Cape Of Good Hope can resurrect his winning form when he contest the Group 2 $200,000 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Cape Of Good Hope, above in navy blue colours, is set to resume in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Cape Of Good Hope was quick to find the winner’s stall at his first start on Australian soil with a storming finish to take out the Group 1 $1m Ladbrokes Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield during the 2019 Melbourne Spring Carnival.
The import’s form then quickly fell away because of feet problems and he was well beaten at his next four starts, including a tenth in the 2019 Group 1 $5m Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley.
Cape Of Good Hope hasn’t raced since finishing thirteenth in the Group 1 $1.5m Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 7.
Dabernig trains in partnership with Ben Hayes following the departure of David Hayes to Hong Kong, and is confident that the five year old stallion has overcome several hoof issues.
“He’s had a good break and has come back in nice and sound,” Dabernig told AAP.
“He arrived in Australia in good form winning the Caulfield Stakes (Ladbrokes Stakes) but last campaign his feet were the issue and he was taking on reasonable company.
“His feet have improved. Remember (multiple Group One winner) Redkirk Warrior had trouble initially with his feet when he came from Hong Kong and we managed to get him right and I think this is a similar situation.”
“We’ve addressed the issue and he’ll have his chance to show his best form.”
The Group 1 $5m Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 17 could also be on the agenda for Cape Of Good Hope if his form warrants it.
“I think we’ll get him to an Underwood Stakes and work it out from there,” Dabernig said.
Cape Of Good Hope is one of fifteen nominations for the P.B. Lawrence Stakes and is marked at the healthy double figure odds at $26 in early betting at Ladrokes.com.au.
Stablemate So Si Bon is more fancied at $17 while last year’s winner Mystic Journey sits at the top of the market order at $3.80
Early betting for the 2020 P.B. Lawrence Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.80 Mystic Journey, $4.80 Arcadia Queen, $5 Regal Power, $6.50 Streets Of Avalon, $8.50 Savatiano, $12 Miami Bound, $13 Morrissy, $14 Kings Will Dream, $15 Sirconni, $17 So Si Bon, $26 Cape Of Good Hope, Cascadian, Mirage Dancer, $31 Aristia, $51 Dr Drill.
