As the weather starts to heat up, so does the racing in Western Australia. The first of three Group 1 races kicks off on Saturday at Ascot, the $1.5m Railways Stakes. The mile feature, held under handicap conditions, has long been a staple on the WA Racing calendar and was first run and won in 1887. The race, without fail, brings together a quality field of gallopers, both local and interstate, and was taken out last year by Western Empire, with ‘The Wizard’ William Pike on board.
Looking at the market, Dabble has Derby winner Alaskan God favourite at $4.20 off the back of a brilliant return three weeks ago. Trix Of The Trade is on the second line of betting at $5.00 and Karli’s Karma is also well fancied at $7.00. These three runners dominate the market and it’s double figures or better for the rest of the field.
However, we know with horse racing that anything can happen and there’s plenty of different form lines in this race. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you and provided our horse racing tips! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Railway Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. Resortman (1) – $20
Jockey – Brad Rawiller 57kg
Trainer – Michael Lane
Consistent galloper who scored well first up in the Eurythmic before chasing hard last start and going down narrowly in the Lee Steere behind Massimo. Steps up to 1600m for the first time here and has to carry the top weight but is deserved of that and should get a nice trail from the inside gate. Can figure in the finish.
2. Yonkers (11) – $14
Jockey – Paul Harvey 56.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Sydney-sider who wasn’t beaten far in the Rosehill Gold Cup last start. His run prior at Caulfield was solid. Drops back to the mile here but gets in well at the weights and is a classy galloper. Don’t overlook.
Furphy-Railway Stakes Barrier Draw results are in! @TheRacesWA pic.twitter.com/DRrl6NewmA
— Perth Racing (@PerthRacing) November 15, 2022
3. God Has Chosen (17) – $31
Jockey – Clint Johnston-Porter 55.5kg
Trainer – Donna Riordan
Winner of eight from sixteen who hasn’t quite shown his best form so far this preparation, despite races not being run to suit. The step up in trip looks ideal here but he has to overcome an outside gate and have others ahead of him.
4. Kaptain Kaos (3) – $101
Jockey – Lucy Warwick 55.5kg
Trainer – Michael Grantham
Hasn’t done much in two runs back this prep. Will appreciate getting out to a mile here, where he’s a two time winner, and has drawn well but needs to improve sharply if he’s to take home the winners trophy. Blinkers on first time may spark something?
5. Marocchino (13) – $34
Jockey – Jason Whiting 55kg
Trainer – Lou Louciani
Led from go to whoa last start in the Northam Cup over this trip. The run prior behind Resortman was ok. Should be ready to peak third up and is one from one this track/trip. Probably doesn’t have the class of some of his rivals here but can run into the placings if he puts his best foot forward.
6. Comfort Me (19) – $21
Jockey – Peter Knuckey 54kg
Trainer – Rhys Radford
Runner up in this race last year who hasn’t been far away in two runs back this prep. Looks ready for the mile now and is going well enough to run another big race this year but the gate is a big disadvantage. Will need plenty of luck.
7. Alaskan God (14) – $4.20F
Jockey – Chris Parnham 53kg
Trainer – Daniel Morton
Strung five wins together last prep including the WATC Derby here at Ascot. Got a long way back first up in the Asian Beau and absolutely flashed late to finish a close up sixth. Looks well suited up to the mile second up and is dangerous with no weight on his back here. The one to beat.
Who are you with in the Railway Stakes? (Comment others)
— TABtouch (@TAB_touch) November 16, 2022
8. Buster Bash (12) – $23
Jockey – Joseph Azzopardi 53kg
Trainer – David Harrison
Front running five year old who was too strong last start in the Listed Luckygray here at Ascot. This is tougher but he will make his own luck on speed from the middle gate, presents rock hard fit and is no stranger to the winners stall. Respect.
9. Ironclad (7) – $10
Jockey – Lachlan Neindorf (a) 53kg
Trainer – Will Clarken
SA trained galloper who was super first up at Flemington behind Old Flame before an honest fourth in the Cranbourne Cup last Saturday. Comes into this seven days between runs and has had to travel but is loaded with potential and drawn well. Don’t dismiss.
10. Karli’s Karma (9) – $7.00
Jockey – Shaun O’Donnell 53kg
Trainer – Summer Dickson
Sizeable mare who is racing in fine fettle this preparation. Just missed in the Lee Steere last start behind Massimo. This is tougher and she steps up to the mile now but rarely runs a bad race and will be in it for a long way with the light weight on her back.
11. Last Of The Line (18) – $17
Jockey – Brad Parnham 53kg
Trainer – Stephen Miller
On the quick back up after a close up fourth to Searchin’ Roc’s last Saturday. Form prior was just fair and the wide gate all but seals his fate in this field. Looking to others.
12. Notorious One (10) – $61
Jockey – Laqdar Ramoly (a) 53kg
Trainer – Chris & Michael Gangemi
Rising eight year old who hasn’t been too far away this prep without threatening. Finished fourth in this race last year and is a two time winner at this track/distance but isn’t going as well heading into this and needs to find.
All set for the 2022 @FurphyBeer Railway Stakes barrier draw at The Camfield!#ThePinnacles #AscotRacingCarnival pic.twitter.com/5G3f2dJKxa
— Perth Racing (@PerthRacing) November 15, 2022
13. Searchin’ Roc’s (2) – $14
Jockey – Kyra Yuill 53kg
Trainer – Jim Taylor
Won the Belmont Oaks as a three year old. Had no luck first up in the Asian Beau before a great ride/win last Saturday in the R J Peters. Beat a handy field on that occasion and should enjoy another nice run in transit here. Will give backers a great sight at good odds.
14. Startrade (4) – $34
Jockey – Chris Nicoll 53kg
Trainer – Daniel Morton
Twelve time winner who finished a good second in the Asian Beau last start behind Treasured Star. Hasn’t won past 1400m which is some concern but is going well and will enjoy a nice run in the race from the good draw. Not the worst.
15. Treasured Star (20) – $10
Jockey – William Pike 53kg
Trainer – Adam Durrant
Lightly raced mare who had a good run and won well last start in the Asian Beau. She’s one for one at this track/distance, that win came twelve months ago in the WA Guineas. The barrier draw is a big blow here and Pike will need to use every bit of his wizardry if he’s to win his fifth consecutive Railway.
16. Trix Of The Trade (8) – $5.00
Jockey – Troy Turner 53kg
Trainer – Colin Webster
Good win first up under 61kg before a fast finishing third behind Treasured Star last start. Fair to say the barrier probably beat him last time out and from the better draw here, he can settle closer and should be hard to beat.
“The three weeks between runs is really going to help his preparation.”@TroyJags on Trix Of The Trade in Saturday’s Railway Stakes.
He’s a $5.50 chance with @TAB_touch
📻| 1206AM
📱| 0427 789 571
💻| @TAB_touch app— TABradio (@TABradio) November 16, 2022
17e. Winning Partner (15) – $41
Jockey – Barend Vorster 53kg
Trainer – Tony & Calvin McEvoy
Dominant winner at Moonee Valley two starts ago before an even effort last start under the big weight. Will appreciate the 8kg weight drop here and is good enough to figure in the finish with a bit of luck.
18e. Let’s Galahvant (6) – $41
Jockey – N/A 53kg
Trainer – Daniel & Ben Pearce
Rode the speed and held on well last start behind Searchin’ Roc’s. Rarely runs a bad race and from the good draw can figure in the finish at odds if he gains a start.
19e. Devoted (16) – $13
Jockey – N/A 53kg
Trainer – Michael Grantham
Hasn’t had much go his way this preparation. Latest raced wide and still ran on well to finish third to Searchin’ Roc’s here at Ascot. Tends to race better at Belmont but if he gains a start, can’t be left out of consideration.
20e. Chili Is Hot (5) – $126
Jockey – N/A 53kg
Trainer – Graeme Ballantyne
Handy mare who is never far away but is struggling to find her best form of late and this race looks a bit beyond her.
Final Word
The first of three majors in the west will be run and won on Saturday, and a full field of talented milers will take their place.
No surprise to see Alaskan God at the top of the betting here. His first up run was super, where he reeled off some outstanding late sectionals from the back of the field. The step up to 1600m is ideal and despite the wide draw, I think he’s clearly the one to beat.
Interstate galloper, Ironclad, has come back well this preparation and has been good in both runs back. He should enjoy a nice run midfield from the good draw and will be strong late. Looks the danger.
Trix Of The Trade was stiff last start in the Asian Beau and is another who should find a good spot from the kinder draw. He has a brilliant record here at Ascot and is one from one at the Ascot mile.
Can’t leave Searchin’ Roc’s out of the numbers after her win last Saturday. She was luckless first up and will make her own luck in the first half of the field.
Railway Stakes Tip
7. Alaskan God – Win ($4.20)
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*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
