A hint of the spring racing carnival is already apparent at Caulfield, with the season still more than three weeks away.

Saturday’s meeting at Caulfield is highlighted by the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m). This race, previously known as the J J Liston Stakes and run at Sandown, was a traditional opener for spring contenders.

Major stayers would often use the Sandown race to commence their weight-for-age campaigns, building towards their main objectives like the Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup, and Cox Plate.

Although the P B Lawrence Stakes has not held the same significance in recent years, the field for Saturday’s edition comprises 13 runners, with nine of them beginning their campaigns first-up.

Leading trainer Chris Waller has entered three of his high-calibre gallopers: Wootton Verni, Soul Of Spain, and Ohope Wins. With the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick and the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on the horizon, Waller is looking to manage his team’s race programs separately.

“It’s just a starting point,” Waller stated. “It just keeps them away from the Winx the following week, and the Memsie as they work their way towards nice middle-distance and staying races.”

All three of these horses are nominated for the Group 1 Cox Plate, which will be run over 2000m at Flemington this year. They are also expected to be among the entries for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), with nominations closing next Tuesday, and the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington, for which nominations are accepted on September 1.

Ohope Wins is preparing for her first full racing season under Waller’s care.

The New Zealand-bred four-year-old mare was previously trained in New Zealand by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, winning the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks at Ellerslie in February before transferring to Waller’s stable for a Sydney autumn campaign.

After securing fourth place in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), Ohope Wins went on to win the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick in April.

When asked if Ohope Wins had physically improved, Waller confirmed she had.

“She looks really good,” Waller said. “She has come back stronger, and she could run well fresh. She’s a talented horse.”

Damian Lane has been booked by Waller to ride Ohope Wins. This Saturday’s meeting will be Lane’s first in Melbourne’s metropolitan area since early April, following a stint riding in Japan. Those interested in racing betting markets will be closely watching these early spring performances.