Three Group races and a fascinating listed contest are headlined by the Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield this weekend.

Five of the ten runners in the Lawrence are first up from a break with Streets Of Avalon heading the betting and that seems very reasonable. He is twice a Group One winner at the course and distance and set himself right up with a strong return in the Bletchingly. 

Prices around 2/1 don't seem unreasonable given what is in his favour but clearly any edge he has over Sansom is a small one and Best Of Days is a match for him on form/ratings. Superstorm is a little bit better than him on that score and while it's very easy to write him off as one for next time he does look very ominous in here after a disjointed campaign meant we never really saw the best of him last spring. We did see glimpses though and with things seemingly going a bit smoother this time around it would be no shock to see him put it all together and win some nice races - potentially this one. 

The Vain looks a good and informative race. Ingratiating has the A1 form from last season, placed in both the Diamond and the Slipper, and he must go well. He is 2-0 head-to-head with General Beau who was a ready-made two-year-old and his pace and power make him interesting at 1100m around here. There was very little between him and Jigsaw when they clashed with that one having the advantage of having had recent racing. 

But for all that the favourite is Generation and we think that he is a good favourite having won both of his starts in the style of one that is well up to winning at this level. 

He hasn't got the form to match one like Ingratiating but he hasn't had the chance just yet and the speed figure he ran around Caulfield before a break makes him an appealing gamble in this. 

The fillies heat, the Quezette, doesn't look to have the same quality but it has quantity and makes for an open betting contest. 

There are six stakes winners from last season engaged but only two of those, Arcaded and Najmaaty, are rated over 100 by Timeform with race favourite Gimme Par rated 99. 

Gimme Par put that figure up on debut when catching they eye behind Ingratiating and she wasn't far below that when getting the job done around here in April. 

We threw up Duchy Of Savoy a couple of weeks ago at the Valley and she was a touch stiff (particularly viewed through the pocket) not to run into the placings having been short of room at key stages. That shouldn't be a problem this time as she draws out. 

It wouldn't want to be a problem, with this a much tougher race, but she is 20/1 and bigger in early markets and we think that undersells her a bit as she has shown some talent and the fillies look a wide open group judged on last season. 

THE MELBOURNE MAIL 

Bet Of The Day: Race 6 #5 Generation @ $3.00 

Each Way Play: Race 7 #12 Duchy Of Savoy @ $21.00