Pounding kicks off spring campaign in PB Lawrence Stakes

The long-range prediction of a dry spring is music to the ears of the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman stable when it comes to the upcoming preparation of Pounding.

Pounding kicks off his spring campaign in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday with Moody looking to turn the gelding into a Group 1 winner.

While he is a winner on soft ground, Moody says the five-year-old is far more effective on top of the ground as was shown during his autumn campaign which culminated with a third-place finish behind Cascadian in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in March.

Along the way Pounding won the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Sandown and finished sixth behind Mr Brightside in the All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley.

Pounding kicked-off a 13-run campaign in July last year and while he did win on a soft track at Moonee Valley last September, his best form was on firmer ground.

Moody explained Pounding’s longevity last campaign came down to the gelding looking after himself when racing on wet tracks.

“He didn’t let go at all on the wet tracks and would come home from the races bucking his brands off,” Moody said.

“We had tagged him a bit of a non-trier as he was pulling-up that good, and that helped him have that long preparation.

“He kicked off before this time last year and went all the way through to the Australian Cup.

“Getting on dry tracks and having some confidence, it really improved him.”

Moody said he would love to see Pounding in a similar vein to Godolphin warhorse Cascadian and believes a Group 1 handicap could fall his galloper’s way this season.

“I’m not saying a Caulfield Cup or a Cox Plate, but I would be disappointed if he did not put a Group 1 away this season, whether that is in the spring or the autumn,” Moody said.

“He’s entered for everything but there is no target. Every two, three, four or five weeks you’ll see him pop up and because of his rating now it will be in these Group 2’s and Group 1’s.

“His best form is probably at that 1400 metres to 1800 metres, but he’s had a couple of runs at 2000 metres and did run third in an Australian Cup.

“The Toorak Handicap or an Epsom Handicap, might be a race for him, although it looks like we’ll be in for a dry spring down here, so he might stay home.”