3 minute read
The Pinnacles continue with the first Group 1 of the carnival, the Railway Stakes.
The Railway and the W.A. Guineas are the main attractions on what is a super card of racing from Ascot.
Don't miss a moment of the action on Railway Stakes Day, with vision live and free on 7Plus and Racing WA.
Race 1: TABtouch - WESTSPEED PLATINUM SERIES HEAT 3 (1400m)
PROFIT POCKET (4) turned in a game effort first-up over this course and distance when finishing in a dead-heat for first. She's now 35-days between runs, though she was a winner at this track and trip second-up last campaign under similar circumstances. Can improve again now and go back-to-back. PULL THE TRIGGER (9) had his chance over the mile last start when favourite but may not have run out the extra furlong there. He hit the line locked together with Profit Pocket here two back and now Mark Zahra takes the ride. Can bounce back in a big way. KING CARTEL (1) just couldn't hold on when resuming over 1200m here a fortnight ago. He maps for a lovely run off the inside and Noske hops back in the saddle now. Fitter now and can go one better this time without surprising. MAJOR MARIO (8) is always around the mark and he boasts a handy record at this track and trip. Won't be far away. SUNBRONZED (5) should get his chance and is worth including.
Race 2: TABtouch - HAVE YOU GOT THE TOUCH HANDICAP (2100m)
ROYAL TORONADO (4) was very impressive over 1800m here 21 days ago, running over the top to win comfortably. Out to this trip is no issue and the wide draw isn't an issue as he'll get back anyway. Trending as a Perth Cup smokey and he can put himself into the Cup picture with a win in this event. AFFLUENTIAL (7) bounced back to his best last start when narrowly beaten over 2200m here. Fitter again now and Mark Zahra hops in the saddle for his first ride. Maps for a lovely run and it wouldn't surprise to see him go one better this time around. ARCADIA KNIGHT (12) steps out to this distance for the first time, though it does look to suit on recent performances. He was good behind Royal Toronado last start and draws slightly better this time. Can run a bold race. MANAVENDRA (6) is usually around the mark and has claims again. HEMLOCK STONE (1) beat a lot of these last time out and can't be discounted.
Race 3: MAGIC MILLIONS - CRYSTAL SLIPPER STAKES (1100m)
Tricky race for the 2YO's, but the way TALKANCO (9) won on debut suggested she could go on with the job. She sat back and was far too good for her rivals when storming over the top late. Maps for a beautiful run this time under Chris Parnham and she can go back-to-back to start her career. YES QUEEN (14) has been very impressive at the trials and beat Talkanco in a 400m in October at Lark Hill. Freshened and bolted in over 400m at Belmont recently and the booking of Pike suggests she's ready to roll on debut. Has plenty of speed and will take catching. BUCKLED (4) has only been sighted publicly once but showed enough there to win by 0.2L in that trial. He looks to get a nice run today under Brad Parnham and he can make his presence felt. BATTLE ROAD (3) showed good improvement in his most recent trial and can build on that effort again on race day. NOW YOU SEE ME (7) has won both trials coming in and has to be included.
Race 4: MCA POLYTRACK HANDICAP (1400m)
KESHI BOOM (7) got back to her best last start when running on well in an easier race over this track and trip. Now ready to peak third-up, she maps for a lovely run under Pike who has won 4/6 when on board. Been a while between drinks, but she can bounce back to her best and get the job done. RUSSIAN TO THE BAR (5) was only 1L off the winner in a G3 event last week and ticks plenty of boxes this time. Way back in grade today on the quick turnaround third-up and Chris Parnham gets back in the irons. Right up to his best last start and can feature prominently. FAST FLICKER (6) was strong first-up over this track and trip, coming through the same race as Keshi Boom and Russian To The Bar. She's undefeated second-up and she's improved with each of her last four runs. Can be in the finish again. SISU WARRIOR (1) trialled well recently and has placed fresh in the past. Include. OWN THE QUEEN (4) resumes today and was very good in a recent trial. Can feature.
Race 5: GLENROY CHAFF - A.J. SCAHILL CUP (2100m)
RED SUN SENSATION (12) has loomed large in his past two runs and is knocking on the door of a drought breaking victory. He draws a much better gate today and should land in a handy position. Fitter again now and if he can improve again fourth-up, he'll take plenty of beating. DEMOLISH (7) has been going around in races over unsuitable trips for a while now and finally gets out to this distance. On the quick back-up too, he remains at the bottom of the weights and showed his class in the Perth Cup last year. This looks to suit and a sharp turnaround in form is on the cards. SENTIMENTAL HERO (6) just missed in the Luckygray when caught late but that looks a good platform for this. Out in trip for the first time but brings good form into this and he's expected to give a bold sight. CURRIMUNDI (3) has been around the mark his past couple and can improve again getting out to a more suitable trip now. IN GOOD ORDER (10) ticks a few boxes today and can be in the finish.
Race 6: CARBINE CLUB OF W.A. STAKES (1400m)
YONGA LASS (11) has been well fancied in stronger events than this recently, just missing in the R.J. Peters last week. This looks a perfect race for her and she draws a great barrier for Pike. Ready to peak third-up and this race looks hers for the taking. DEVOTED (6) returns to the west following a commendable effort in Victoria. Now with Luke Fernie, he's trialled well coming into this and he has plenty of ratings high enough to get the job done in this event. Can run a bold race on resumption. INVESTMENTSTRATEGY (9) couldn't hold on when setting the tempo in the R.J. Peters last start, only beaten 0.6L. Loves this track and trip and he's a third-up winner in the past. Still some improvement to come and he can go close to winning. ALL THE KING'S MEN (8) rates highly off a strong fresh effort and brings different form into this. Loves the track and trip and can go close. VALOUR ROAD (1) is better than he showed last start and ticks plenty of boxes today.
Race 7: WHITE CLAW - W.A. GUINEAS (1600m)
The W.A. Guineas now and SEPTEMBER BORN (3) looks the one to beat. He lived up to expectations in the Fairetha when winning comfortably by 0.5L and he maps for a much better run in transit today. Can sit just off the speed and announce himself as a star of the future. STORYVILLE (14) looks the main danger following a dominant win in the Champion Fillies last week when rattling home in quick time. Suspect she'll get back in the run once again for Pike, but she creates plenty of interest on the 7-day back up. EXCEED THE PLANET (7) is still a maiden but has been close in both lead-ups to the Guineas. He's been right there with September Born in his past couple and the extra trip shouldn't be an issue. Wouldn't surprise to see him go close again. OLYMPIC PARK (5) wasn't disgraced last start and can be in the finish once again. SKULL BONE AND PIG (11) was scratched on Wednesday to run here and gets McDonald in the saddle.
Race 8: SWAN DRAUGHT - RAILWAY STAKES (1600m)
The G1 Railway Stakes and TRIX OF THE TRADE (15) goes on top. He drops right in weight now thanks to the conditions and he quickened up nicely in the Lee Steere. Won this race in 2022 and was unlucky last year when fourth. Looks well placed again and can get back to winning ways. LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (5) produced a strong rating when winning the Chester Manifold during Cup Week at Flemington. That rating stacks up highly here and he draws beautifully for JMac. Ticks plenty of boxes and can play a major role. ZIPAWAY (16) was the flashing light run in the Lee Steere when first-up and a touch unlucky. Now gets Steve Parnham in the saddle and he too drops right down in weight. Looks a leading contender. PORT LOCKROY (12) was strong in the Golden Eagle and ran a competitive figure there. Flying under the radar in this and can play a major role. SUPER SMINK (13) is in career best form and has to be included.
Race 9: DRUMMOND GOLF HANDICAP (1200m)
WUBIN GOLD (2) blew her rivals away last start when storming down the outside to win eased down. That win suggested there is more to come from her and she may be able to sit a little closer this time. Anticipating she can build on that effort and land the knockout blow once again. KEEP ATTACKING (3) just missed 42 days ago and the form out of that race has been very good. He may get back in the run again, but now Pike jumps in the saddle again and he only rises 0.5kg. Racing well and can make his presence felt. MISS FLIRTACIOUS (12) couldn't hold off Wubin Gold last time out but is racing in strong form of late. She has plenty of early speed and can offset the wide alley. Expecting her to give a bold sight from the front. REGAL STATUE (8) is better than she showed last time out and can bounce back third-up into the campaign. DEFINE BEAUTIFUL (9) can build on a handy second-up performance.
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