Winter warrior Munhamek primed for slugfest in Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield

The Group 2 PB Lawrence will likely be run at a strong tempo which will play into the hands of iron horse Munhamek.

Iron horse Munhamek could benefit from a slugfest Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

A strong tempo regardless of wet conditions is assured behind bold frontrunner Buffalo River and Gentleman Roy, likely to sit off the leader.

Favourite Pericles and Pinstriped would not want to be too far away, with leaders often hard to catch at Caulfield especially when wet.

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Enter the winter warrior Munhamek, who craves a strong pace and dogfight at the finish.

Jockey Jamie Mott, who has won on Munhamek twice in three starts, said residual fitness would help the eight-year-old challenge the more fancied opposition.

Munhamek, a Group 3 and multiple Listed winner, placed third, a near certainty beaten when bailed up in traffic, in his only previous run in a Group 2.

“It’s not going to be an easy race to win, there’s some nice horses in it, but we’re going in as confident as we can be he’s going to run up to his absolute best,” Mott said.

“He’s definitely got the fitness advantage on a few of the nicer ones and hopefully that’s good enough for us to get over the top.

Jamie Mott has ridden Munhamek in two of his past three wins, including the Winter Championship Series Final at Flemington. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

“It’s going to be a truly run race and when it comes to fitness that’s going to be our strongest point, he’s obviously good enough to win but he’s going in with a lot of residual fitness.

“If it’s a true test the last bit he’s definitely going to be the strongest.”

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Multiple Group 1-placed Pericles is a $2.90 favourite with TAB from Pinstriped ($4.80), a Group 2 winner previously.

Munhamek ($6.50) and Gentleman Roy ($6.50) share the third line.

Munhamek has freshened up a treat after he capped a strong winter with a hat-trick of wins culminated in the Listed Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 6.

Mott galloped Munhamek last week in a Flemington jumpout.

Munhamek wins again! Simply too strong in the VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final.

What a marvel.

📽 @7HorseRacingpic.twitter.com/tMpXZibJRc

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) July 6, 2024

“He’s in great order, really fresh, he actually jumped and travelled quite strong,” Mott said.

“It’s a good sign he’s freshened up well, it was a really strong heat and he was finishing quite strongly, which was great.

“He’s a wonderful horse and I think he’s as good as what he has been, so we’re going in pretty confident he’s going to be at his best.”

Meanwhile, Pericles has pleased Godolphin trainer James Cummings.

The Street Boss gelding placed twice in five starts at Group 1 level last campaign.

“We’ve got to be pleased with how he’s done since last campaign, if anything he’s feeling too well,” Cummings said.

“He’s a chance to graduate all the way to Group-1 level and there are good targets along the way.

“We’ll be guided on how well he’s going at the time and where the opposition are … there are plenty of options on the table for him.”

Originally published as Winter warrior Munhamek primed for slugfest in Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield