St Lawrence has proved himself to be a serial winner and it seems only a matter of time before he announces himself at stakes level.
The son of Westbury Stud resident Redwood has won six of his seven starts for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace with the latest of them a hollow victory in Benchmark 78 company over 1400 metres at Caulfield on Saturday.
Bred by Gerry Harvey who has retained an ownership interest, St Lawrence went about his latest piece of business with a sense of swagger and looks a sure bet to make his mark in better company, although there is no rush.
“He’s a really nice horse and is sound and still within the handicap where he can go through the grades before we step him into black type,” stable representative Jack Turnbull said.
The four-year-old had won over the course and distance when resuming at his previous start and third placegetter Barbie’s Fox franked that form at Rosehill at the weekend when she won the Listed Winter Stakes.
“We’ll keep him to seven or eight furlongs this time around, that’s what Ciaron and David have suggested, so it’s all going to plan,” Turnbull said.
St Lawrence settled three back on the fence before apprentice rider he was angled off the fence 800 metres from home.
“He had a lunge at the gates before they broke and then got into a good spot, but here at Caulfield when the rail is out you just never know,” Turnbull said.
“I think the horse put himself where he got to and he showed a nice turn of foot.
“He’s a big, strapping lad and tips the scales at well over 500kg so there’s plenty of substance there.
St Lawrence was into the clear at the top of the straight and he made light of his 61kg impost to give his opposition weight and a length and a-half length beating.
Successful rider Carleen Hefel said once she was able to get St Lawrence away from the fence the race was in safe keeping.
“From barrier one we got stuck there (on the rail) and then the race shape changed and I was able to get him off so it was perfect timing.
“He took a little bit to wind up, but once he got to his top he really let down nicely hit the line super strong.”
St Lawrence began his career in New Zealand and was a debut winner at Hastings in April, 2022, from the stable of the now retired Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.
Harvey remained in the ownership when a syndicate, including high-profile owner Ozzie Kheir, bought into the gelding in a deal brokered by Maher’s bloodstock manager Will Bourne and he relocated to Victoria.
St Lawrence is a son of the Encosta De Lago mare Bacio Del Vinto, who also the dam of the Group 3 Manawatu Cup winner Marroni.
Bacio Del Vinto is a daughter of the dual Group 1 winner Lotteria with decorated Singapore performer and Group 2 McEwen Stakes winner and Group 1 performer The Inferno featuring in the pedigree.
The mare also has an unraced two-year-old Tarzino colt and a yearling son of El Roca and is back in foal to Tarzino.