Group 1 racing returns to Perth on Saturday and an intriguing edition of the Railway Stakes will be contested.
Not as many interstate raiders will step out at Ascot this year, but the confirmation that enigmatic Godolphin galloper Kementari will take his place in the Railway Stakes field is more than enough to garner interest.
Railway Stakes – Winner
No. 11 Inspirational Girl – Bet Now: $3.50
Doesn’t know how to run a bad race and will take a power of beating in the Railway Stakes.
The Reliable Man mare has recorded eight wins and two minors from her ten career starts so far and has been outstanding this time in; running second over 1400m when resuming at Belmont and winning her last two, including the Group 3 Asian Beau last time out.
She’s beaten a lot of these horses previously; she gets in well under the conditions and is rock-hard fit.
Owned by Bob Peters, trained by Grant & Alana Williams and ridden by William Pike? Tick, tick, tick!
Railway Stakes – 2nd
No. 14 Too Close The Sun – Bet Now: $6.50
Too Close The Sun is on the short back-up from an impressive win in the Ascot Gold Cup, and I think he’s going to take plenty of beating into the Railway Stakes.
The Lindsay Smith-trained galloper has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his career, but announced himself to the greater Australian racing fraternity through an impressive campaign in Victoria earlier this year, peaking with three-consecutive wins, including the Warrnambool Cup.
He ran second to Inspirational Girl in the Asian Beau when resuming, and while I’m not sure he’s quite up to her ability, I think he can and will run another bolter here.
Railway Stakes – 3rd
No. 15 Truly Great – Bet Now: $10.00
Truly Great is another horse on the short back-up in the Railway Stakes and with even luck, he can also be right in the finish.
The Dundeel gelding has missed placing only twice in ten career starts so far and has recorded three wins from as many starts this time, peaking with a comfortable triumph in the Group 3 RJ Peters Stakes last weekend.
It’s obviously another rise in class, but a mile looks to be his pet trip, he’s weighted well and really doesn’t have any excuses.
Railway Stakes – 4th
No. 1 Kementari – Bet Now: $11.00
He is very, very hard to trust, but I think that this is probably one of the easier races, certainly at Group 1 level that Kementari has contested in recent memory, and he is up to winning.
The Lonhro gelding was obviously a star throughout his three-year-old season, headlined by his only Group 1 victory to date in Randwick Guineas, and he needed his first preparation back from a failed career at stud through the winter.
He has improved with each of his first three starts back this time, including a credible third in the Group 2 Lee Steere over 1400m here a fortnight ago, and there is no doubt he’ll relish getting out to a mile at this point of his preparation.
Railway Stakes Suggested Bets
- 4 Units straight out #11 Inspirational Girl
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections above