Ben Allen wants heavens to open up for Pinstriped in PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield

Jockey Ben Allen says Pinstriped has returned stronger and a wet track will be perfect for him in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes on Saturday.

Jockey Ben Allen will be in the minority on Saturday – wishing for rain.

“Heavy 10, wet deck, I’d be laughing,” Allen said.

“I’d be the only one happy.”

Up to nine millimetres of rain is forecast for Melbourne on Friday and a further seven on Saturday.

Caulfield is rated Good 4 currently but rain, especially on race day, would result in track downgrades.

• Gentleman Roy eyes Memsie stable clash with Mr Brightside

Allen has an opportunity to go one better than last year in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield aboard Pinstriped, trained by Enver Jusufovic.

“I hope it does rain quite a bit because it would be perfect for him,” Allen said.

“He’s come back a lot heavier, stronger, he’s a horse that seems to get better with age.”

Pinstriped is a $5.50 second favourite with TAB behind Pericles ($2.90), also first-up on Saturday and suited by the wet conditions.

Pinstriped has won four of nine starts on rain-affected tracks.

He returns to the races on Saturday better fitness wise than at the corresponding time last spring, with a third jumpout under the belt compared to two.

Allen has the horse, barrier and motivation to succeed on Saturday.

Ben Allen riding Pinstriped to victory in last year’s Group 2 Feehan Stakes. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

“He ran huge first-up last year, I probably got sucked into trying to keep on the back of Mr Brightside (last year) and I might’ve ridden him a bit too close,” Allen said.

“Ideally leave him alone early (Saturday from barrier five), travelling or a bit further back, there’ll be good speed and I’d say it’s a good kick-off point, but he’s going well.”

• Forecast rain to test Caulfield track

Jusufovic has multiple spring options mapped for Pinstriped, including the Group 1 Memsie Stakes and Makybe Diva Stakes.

The Group 2 Feehan Stakes, a race Pinstriped won last year, and Group 1 Toorak Handicap could also form part of the mix.

Allen endorsed Pinstriped’s Group 1 potential, especially if they were lucky to strike a wet track and dodge Pride Of Jenni.

Pinstriped has been around the mark in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap the past two years, sixth and fifth respectively beaten less than three lengths.

“Last year he should’ve gone closer in the Toorak,” Allen said.

“I didn’t give him the best ride, I got into a position too early, instead of floating, and ended up being in the three wide line and the three best horses in the race were all outside us, which made it quite difficult to build into the race.

“If I had a building run I reckon I would’ve been in the finish, might’ve been the one that got away, but you never know, EJ will target the right races for him.”

Allen has one other ride on Saturday at Caulfield – Go To Hollywood in the 1100m Benchmark 74 for trainer and father John.

Originally published as Ben Allen wants heavens to open up for Pinstriped in PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield