Gentleman Roy continues resurgence with victory in Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield
Gentleman Roy is set for a return to Group 1 action after a tough win in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes, capping a big day for the Hayes brothers.
Group 1 redemption is on the cards for Gentleman Roy and a clash with fellow Lindsay Park sparring partner Mr Brightside in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 31.
Gentleman Roy joined Mr Brightside on the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) honour roll on Saturday at Caulfield, Lindsay Park’s third straight success in the race.
Mr Brightside won the PB Lawrence in 2022 and 2023.
Gentleman Roy capped another memorable PB Lawrence race day for trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes as the stable’s fourth winner on Caulfield card.
Rise At Dawn and Beast Mode opened the brothers Hayes’ account on Saturday before Arkansaw Kid claimed the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m).
Gentleman Roy triumphed over a gallant runner-up Pinstriped in the main event under jockey Mark Zahra.
Gentleman Roy can't be run down in the P.B. Lawrence! 💪
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) August 17, 2024
That's a FOUR-TIMER at Caulfield for @lindsayparkrace! pic.twitter.com/xiw1oQowko
“I got to the front and I thought I still had a bit, when Pinstriped came he (Gentleman Roy) kept finding and finding,” Zahra said.
“He’s so tough the horse, he won’t win by a lot but when there’s something beside him he’ll want to fight it off, he’s very competitive.
“The victory was his toughness at the 100m when Pinstriped looked like he had me I felt him dig in and I wasn’t sure what was inside me but he wasn’t going to let those horses beat him.”
Zahra endorsed a resurgent Gentleman Roy’s Group 1 credentials.
Gentleman Roy was first past the post in the 2023 CF Orr Stakes, with Zahra aboard, only to be relegated to second on protest.
The eight-year-old gelding trained off later in that preparation and prompted Lindsay Park to give him for the best part of 12 months in pristine paddocks at their Euroa oasis.
“It’s a great training effort to give an old gelding such a long time off and bring him back to the form,” Zahra said.
“He felt as good as when I ‘won’ a Group 1, it was unfairly taken off that day too, but he feels like he’s back in that form.”
Co-trainer JD Hayes appreciated the result with Gentleman Roy, a flag-bearer alongside Mr Brightside when he joined older brother Ben in partnership.
“It’s quite fitting to win it (PB Lawrence) with Gentleman Roy and Mr Brightside the last two years,” Hayes said.
“They were really our pinnacle horses and were quite key to when we first got handed the license, they were both sitting in the barn as maidens and looking back now it’s quite fitting.
“They said it was good placement but I think you just point them anywhere and they just win.”
Lindsay Park has enjoyed a stellar start to the new racing season with 26 Victorian winners in 17 days including 10 in Melbourne.
Originally published as Gentleman Roy continues resurgence with victory in Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield
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