Races

Runner by Runner: Railway Stakes

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

1. Gatting (58kg)

Trainer: Darren Mcauliffe
Jockey: Mitchell Pateman
Barrier: 5

Raced through the winter in WA and then landed G1 success in the Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600m beating boom mare Mystic Journey. Draws a plumb alley for Pateman who has ridden him to victory previously. Should position up midfield with cover one off the fence and loom the winner in the straight. Ran 2nd to Galaxy Star in last year’s Railway and is going just as well, if not better. Big price.

2. Best Of Days (57kg)

Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Brad Rawiller
Barrier: 11

Seventh run in this campaign and coming off a 5th in the 2019 Cantala Stakes beaten just over three lengths. Brad Rawiller rides for the first time and draws sticky in barrier 11 which could see him punching out deep and leading up the three-deep train. Both efforts at Moonee Valley over a mile in the G2 Feehan and G3 Crystal Mile have been good enough to play a part in the finish if he gets any luck.

3. Star Exhibit (56.5kg)

Trainer: Adam Durrant
Jockey: Peter Hall
Barrier: 4

Fairy-tale horse who has really recaptured his vest for racing. First-up winner in the Lee-Steere Stakes beating home rivals Gatting, The Velvet King, Achernar Star and Mizlecki in the process. Peter Hall has ridden him 5 times for 3 wins and the pair of aging marvels look a live chance in a wide-open race. From the draw expecting him to settle just worse than midfield saved up for one last burst at them.

4. Achernar Star (55.5kg)

Trainer: Simon A Miller
Jockey: Damien Oliver
Barrier: 16

Honour roll only shows two Listed victories but has also finished second in a Karrakatta, Guineas and Northerly Stakes as well as 3rd in a G1 Kingston Town. Damien Oliver guided him to victory in the Bunbury Stakes and reunites on the big stage. Bitterly disappointing barrier draw which could see him ridden cold either for luck or for the three deep train a long way from home. Shade disappointing in the Lee-Steere but was eye catching in the Northerly.

5. Reykjavik (53kg)

Trainer: Lindsey Smith
Jockey: Dean Yendall
Barrier: 12

Raced throughout the later winter months and into spring and now summer, 9th start this campaign. Yendall guided him to victory last start and retains the ride here. Draw will see him settling worse than midfield. Coming off a career best effort in the G3 Chatham Stakes but query whether that is strong enough form to win a Railway.

6. The Velvet King (53kg)

Trainer: Darren Mcauliffe
Jockey: Chris Parnham
Barrier: 6

Looming as the horse to beat. Winner of the G3 Northerly Stakes beating home Achernar Star, Samizdat and Perfect Jewel. Last start ran third at WFA in the Lee-Steere Stakes when beaten half a length. Drops 6kg to 53 and gets 5kg on Gatting, 3.5kg on Star Exhibit and 2.5kg on Achernar Star from that encounter. M102 in a race with a handicap of 102+, draws perfectly, racing far more tractable and should get a lovely tow into the race behind Cockney Crew.

7. Tellem We’re Comin (53kg)

Trainer: Grant & Alana Williams
Jockey: Brenton Avdulla
Barrier: 9

Brings alternate form references to the race having won the Hannans Handicap and the 1600m Northam Cup. Relative newcomer who tackles Group company for the first time in his career. Was luckless when second to Achernar Star in the Bunbury Stakes and third to Achernar Star and Variation in the Grandstand Cup. Boasts a powerful turn of foot. All 8 wins have been with W.Pike aboard but a plumb pick-up ride for Avdulla.

8. Variation (53kg)

Trainer: Stephen Miller
Jockey: Brad Parnham
Barrier: 8

Missed the entire of 2018 with injury and Brad Parnham was in a similar boat. Last start ran 2nd in the G3 Moonga Stakes at 1400 in a fleeting Melbourne venture. Has tactical speed to hold a position in running midfield and 7 of his 8 career wins have been with Brad in the saddle. Ran a ripping 4th in the 2017 Railway but this would be an enormous training effort to get him across the line.

9. Mizlecki (53kg)

Trainer: Fred Kersley
Jockey: Jerry Noske
Barrier: 2

Third up in the campaign and importantly slides down to the 53kg. Little mare with a big heart whose winning chances were boosted by a soft draw. Should settle three or four back the fence and could run a cheeky race at a price into the minor money. Gets under the radar.

10. Perfect Jewel (53kg)

Trainer: Adam Durrant
Jockey: Jade McNaught
Barrier: 7

Has been a while between drinks for the half-sister to Star Exhibit. Can mix her form a touch but on her day she is well and truly in the mix at a price. Jade McNaught thrown in the deep end but is riding with confidence. Perfect Jewel has run 4th in a Kingston Town and 4th in a Railway. Don’t dismiss.

11. Manolo Blahniq

Scratched

12. Regal Power (53kg)

Trainer: Grant & Alana Williams
Jockey: William Pike
Barrier: 15

Resumed first-up at 1400 in the G3 Asian Beau when no match late for Samizdat. Second-up rises to a mile, blinkers go on for the first time and he gets a 3.5kg weight swing on Samizdat. Good horses find a way and he has the Wizard on his back. Will need either luck or brilliance or both from the draw but his turn of foot will see him winning big races.

13. Samizdat (53kg)

Trainer: Chris Gangemi
Jockey: Jarrad Noske
Barrier: 3

Shades went on in the Asian Beau and he showed something quite special. Incredibly attractive son of Not a Single Doubt who is in this race up to his neck. Rated 11 points outside the Handicap and then lumps an extra half kilo on top but Jarrad Noske knows him intimately and from the draw should have him comfortable midfield in a fast run mile. Every chance of hearing the famous Gangemi roar if he gets a crack at them.

14. Cockney Crew (53kg)

Trainer: Kieran McDonagh
Jockey: Troy Turner
Barrier: 14

Yet to score a feature victory in his short career but one of the more progressive and exciting staying propositions in the State. Ran 4th in the JC Roberts at 1800 to Platoon and Regal Power, 2nd to Regal Power in the Melvista Stakes and last season’s WATC Derby. Is double nominated for a 72+ 1800 where he would be $1.40 but if he starts he brings X-Factor and speed to the race.

15. Platoon (53kg)

Trainer: Neville Parnham
Jockey: Steven Parnham
Barrier: 13

Second in last weekend’s RJ Peters as a beaten favourite behind Mississippi Delta. Has really come of age this campaign after being gelded. Took an amazing 7 starts to win his maiden but has always shown well and truly above average ability. Starting to fulfill his potential but the draw makes it tough. Unsuited by a strangely run race last weekend and the faster they go the better for him.

16. Tamasa (53kg)

Trainer: Lindsey Smith
Jockey: Peter Knuckey
Barrier: 1

Lowest rated horse in the race, drawn to sit three back the fence and get a soft run but would need to run an ~6L personal best to win. Lindsey Smith is a genius but this would be something else. Jumps triple figures.

Selection: The Velvet King

Should get every opportunity from the draw. Gets in perfectly on the minimum, maps to sit just off Cockney Crew in the run and when that galloper starts to up tempo at the 800 he can go with him. Should give backers a wonderful run for their money and at around the $7 mark is a lovely eachway investment. Could be the target of strong support on race-day.

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