Nonconformist begins Caulfield Cup campaign in PB Lawrence Stakes

Grahame Begg has done the planning but it is up to Nonconformist to live up to the trainer’s thinking in a spring campaign that begins in Saturday’s Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield.

Begg wants to get Nonconformist into the Caulfield Cup on October 16.

The PB Lawrence Stakes is the first step on Nonconformist’s road to the Caulfield Cup.

The Naturalism Stakes, which offers a Caulfield Cup start to the winner, is the crucial race in Begg’s plan with the son of Rebel Raider.

“After Saturday, he then goes two weeks into the Heatherlie (Handicap) then another two weeks into the Naturalism,” Begg said.

“That was the whole plan behind having him up early.”

While Nonconformist is working towards longer races, Begg expects the five-year-old to perform strongly in Saturday’s 1400m contest.

Nonconformist has finished third at each of his three previous first-up runs, including over the Caulfield 1400m course in August last year.

“He always presents well first-up, so we expect him to run well Saturday,” Begg said.

“He’s had a couple of jumpouts and we’re all happy with him leading into his first-up assignment.

“He’s coming to hand nicely.”

Grahame Begg has planned to get Nonconformist to the Caulfield Cup for 12 months. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Begg said Melbourne’s weather for the rest of the week was perfect for Nonconformist’s first-up run.

“I think the key to it with him is getting him onto nice ground,” Begg said.

“They have forecast a bit of rain but that’s a couple of days of from the meeting and Caulfield drains really well.

“I think the edge will just be off the track, which is perfect.”

Jordan Childs, who has been aboard for all of Nonconformist’s four wins, will reunite with the Group 3 winner on Saturday.

Childs missed Nonconformist’s last three runs in the autumn while he recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in a fall in February.

Nonconformist has eased from $13 to $18 in TAB’s early betting on the PB Lawrence Stakes.

Streets Of Avalon is the $3.20 favourite ahead of Bletchingly Stakes winner Sansom at $5.

Godolphin galloper Best Of Days has firmed from $10 into $6.

Originally published asCaulfield Cup hope begins campaign in Lawrence

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