After two superb runs back from a spell, albeit unplaced, the three-year-old is now ready to "get down to business" as the set weights three-year-old races toward the South Australian Derby begin.

Following Saturday's run, the gelding will be aimed at the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m), the Listed Veuve Clicquot Stakes (2000m) and the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) on May 10.

"His first-up run over 1000m was super, then he ran another good race when sixth at Cheltenham Park last start," Balfour said. "If they were going to beat him, his last run was when he was going to be vulnerable. He had a lot of weight under handicap conditions, was stepping straight to 1450m second-up and drew wide. It was an excellent run under the circumstances and meets a lot of the same horses much better at the weights this time."

Since finishing runner-up behind Dextrous in last year's Group 2 Sandown Guineas, Lawson's Storm has been on track for a tilt at the three-year-old staying classics over the Adelaide Cup carnival.

"He was a bit immature last time in but has furnished into a lovely horse," Balfour said. "He was always going to be at his best once he gets to a mile - so I expect him to be right on his game on Saturday. Morphettville is his track and now he's learned to settle I've no doubt he'll continue to improve as he gets further. Ultimately the Derby is his aim and he'll follow the traditional set-weights three-year-old path toward it."

Lawson's Storm has some excellent form around talented stakeswinner's Lashed, Hydrometer and Dextrous in both his two-year-old and early three-year-old campaigns.

The Lakewood Stud Port Adelaide Guineas is on Saturday April 12, the Veuve Clicquot Stakes is on May 3 while the Malaysia Airlines SA Derby is on May 10. All three races are at Morphettville.

Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)

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