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Historical Analysis of the Railway Stakes

RAILWAY STAKES - G1 1600m

The Railway Hcp provides a great end to the year but can be controversial. Perth’s richest race goes back to the 1880s and again this year draws together several good locals looking to repel a much larger than normal interstate brigade after that $1m purse. That interest from Eastern States had waned for a while considering a horse like Better Loosen Up won during his assent to the throne. The champ Northerly won this race near the limit before heading east. Find out more about these warriors from the West.

PROFILING THE RACE

o Weights are the key stats here with 56.5kg (Sniper’s Bullet) being the biggest weight carried since the metric system came in.

o Inside barriers have usually been a definite advantage, especially considering the pace, the likelihood of a fast track and the large field size.

o Mares won back to back with Belle Bizarre and Covertly but it was a long time before that when Miss Muffett won in (’87).

o 4yos have won 22 of the last 54 Railways.

o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner - 4yo (5 times)

o Last 10 Winners Average Weight of winner - 53.5kg

o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $9.80

o Breakdown of winners - 8 geldings & 2 mares

o Races that the winner ran in prior - Lee Steere Stks (4), Peters Stks (2), Asian Beau Stks (1), Crystal Mile Stks (1), Emirates Stks (1), Spell (1)

RECENT WINNERS

2012 - MR MOET 5g (Mosayter x Marlock Miss) ($21)

Jockey: Daniel Staeck, Trainer: Adam Durrant

Barrier: 4, Weight: 53.0kg, Gross Time: 1:35.89

Margin: 0.8L, Track: Good, Starters: 16

2nd: Luckygray (58.0kg), 3rd: Rosie Rocket (53.0kg)

Review: What a tremendous achievement to win this first up. It’s a testament to current training methods because it would not have happened previously. The local was taking on a few good interstaters and the previous champ Luckygray. While Fat Al led and the brothers Playing God and God Has Spoken were in behind him, Mr Moet was eased into trailing them. He got clear at the turn and once he had Playing God covered, he was home. However Luckygray and Rosie Rocket should have won given the runs they had.

2011 - LUCKYGRAY 4g (Bradbury’s Luck x Damah Lady) ($4 fav)

Jockey: Shaun O’Donnell, Trainer: Gino Poletti

Barrier: 12, Weight: 53.0kg, Gross Time: 1:34.88

Margin: 0.4L, Track: Good, Starters: 16

2nd: He’s Remarkable (53.0kg), 3rd: Westriver Kevydonn (53.0kg)

Review: This was a controversial race. From the moments the gates opened until the lengthy period of time after they crossed the line, things were happening at speed. Perhaps the slowest thing was the race itself. They didn’t charge along but because of that the field was concertinaed. At the 600m Kerrin McEvoy on the kiwi He’s Remarkable got an urging to be off the fence but was being held in. He did get clear but there was some interference in behind. Three rivals got checked and he dashed four in front. But Luckygray charged home and got about a head close on the line. With much dissention, and after a long hearing, Stewards upheld the objection.

2010 - GATHERING 4g (Tale Of The Cat x Celebria) ($12)

Jockey: Craig Williams, Trainer: John Thompson

Barrier: 6, Weight: 52.0kg, Gross Time: 1:35.11

Margin: 2.5L, Track: Good, Starters: 16

2nd: Famous Roman (54.0kg), 3rd: Megatic (54.5kg)

Review: Craig Williams rolled him across to lead then slowed them up which is not usual in a Railway. Still doing that before the bend he had many of the main hopes, local and raiders, out the back or wide and struggling. Williams kicked for home at the perfect time before the bend and on the smallish Ascot straight he put up a margin too great to be overcome.