3 minute read

Racing and Sports look at the key chances in the third edition of The Pinnacles.

It's day 2 of the Pinnacles which means the milers are in town for the first of three Group 1s, the Railway Stakes (1600m).

Run under handicap conditions, the $1.5 million feature attracts plenty of talented eastern raiders who are eager to take on the locals after their respective carnivals have ceased. However, the locals continue to stoutly defend their territory, winning nine of the past 10 editions.

For a deep dive of the Group 1 feature you can head here, where you will find some quality inisght in the form of a full-length preview written by our nifty form analyst Trent Crebbin.

The curtain raiser to the Railway is the Group 2 W.A Guineas (1600m).

Also run over the mile, we get a glimpse into the future of the WA racing landscape as the three-year-olds get their chance to establish themselves. Unearthing stars like Arcadia Queen and Amelia's Jewel in recent times, it's the fillies that punch above their weight, taking out five of the last seven.

Utilising Racing and Sports ratings system, we have a look at the history of the features and zone in on a few key chances.

Railway Stakes (1600m) - $1.5million

Favourite: Light Infantry Man (116)

Running to 116 on the Racing and Sports scale when scoring impressvely in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes on Oaks Day, the Ciaron Maher-trained five-year-old boasts a rating that has him an above average Railway Stakes winner. Can he replicate? That's the $1.5 million question. His European form suggests he's got a bit more under the bonnet and with polish of Maher and James Mcdonald in the saddle, you'd be very brave not to have him in your top two chances.

Belclare trained by Perth's adopted son Bjorn Baker, also boasts a 116 R&S rating and continues to tussle Light Infantry Man for favouritsim. The seven-year-old filly has exploded in her last two starts in Sydney. Leading pillar-to-post to take out consecutive Group 2s in The Invitation & Hot Danish Stakes, Belclare will ensure a hot early tempo is assured and if she can replicate her recent form she will take plenty of reeling in for her rivals.

Highest rated local: Zipaway (115)

Current top pick for the hometown defence is the Neville Parnham-trained Zipaway. Running to 115 when beaten a lip of last year's edition by Bustler, the four-year-old is back with vengence for his second crack at the Railway and his eye-catching first-up fourth (109) in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes suggest he's right on track to give this a big shake. 

Casino Seventeen rattled home under William Pike to knock them off in the Lee Steere. Running to 113, he will appreciate the rise in trip but will have to find further improvement if he's to fit the mould.

Super Smink sits alongside at 113 and while the ratings say she's come back in good enough form to seriously threaten, she will be in a world of hurt early doors from the ugly draw (18). D Morton will be praying they turn it on early and if that's the case she'll be climbing over their backs late.

A Guineas (1600m) - $500 000

The market has zoned in on two at the top of the betting and looking through a ratings perspective it's not hard to see why.

September Born (Neville Parnham) sits atop the market on the back of his 0.5L success in the Listed Fairetha Stakes. Running to 107 on the R&S scale, the Playing God colt already fits the mold for an average Guineas winner. His profile suggest he will relish stepping out to the mile and with further improvement anticipated he sits a deserved top pick.

Storyville (G & A Williams) sits a tick blow on 105+ with Racing and Sports off the back of her barnstorming victory in the Group 3 WA Champion Fillies (1600m). Already proven over the journey, it looks inevitable that the Overshare filly will be further improved and recent history sits in favour of fillies tackling the feature.