Evaporate's spring campaign kicks off with Caulfield focus

Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, the trainers behind Evaporate, are expressing optimism about the horse's upcoming spring racing campaign.

While the calendar still indicates winter, the upcoming Saturday meeting at Caulfield possesses a distinct spring flavour, most notably the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes contested over 1400 metres.

This weight-for-age race has assembled a strong field, with a significant number of acceptors, thirteen in total, making their return to racing.

Evaporate is one of these contenders and enters the Saturday event on the back of two satisfactory jump-out performances.

In the first of these trials, held at Werribee on July 17, Evaporate finished second to Zou Sensation. Two weeks later, on August 3 at Flemington, he defeated Caviar Heights over 800 metres.

"The second one was on the course proper, and he went well," J D Hayes stated.

"He seems to have come back bigger and better which is pretty exciting for the spring as he has a pretty good CV to now, and hopefully he can improve on it.

"He's been oh so close to a Group 1, so he doesn't have to improve too far, we hope."

Evaporate's notable past performances include a second placing in last year's Toorak Handicap, a third in the now Group 1 Golden Eagle, a third in the CF Orr Stakes, and a narrow second in the All-Star Mile.

Hayes highlighted that a Group 1 win is the sole missing element from Evaporate's impressive career statistics, which show six victories and nine minor placings from 23 starts, amassing close to $3.2 million in prize money.

Given that the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, held two weeks after Saturday's race, is anticipated to be a fiercely contested event, Hayes suggested that the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on September 5 might present a more favourable opportunity.

"We'll get through Saturday first and then work it from there," Hayes remarked.

"The Memsie looks like a pretty hot edition, so he could go to Sandown the week after, but the Toorak Handicap (at Caulfield in October) does look appetising.

"He went oh so close last year and hopefully he can go one better this year if we decide to go that way."

Talented jockey Blake Shinn, who has achieved multiple wins in his recent return from injury, will ride Evaporate on Saturday. Jamie Melham is set to partner stablemate Coeur Volante.

Melham is also making a comeback after a break, having not competed in Victoria since 'Finals Day' at Flemington in July. She recently participated in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, riding for the Rest of the World Team.

Coeur Volante was victorious twice over 1400m at Caulfield during June and July before concluding her last race in fourth place behind Sass Appeal over 1400m at Flemington on August 1.

Looking for the best racing odds for this weekend's Caulfield meeting? Check out these Australian betting sites.