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Ascot Super Saturday: Railway Stakes and Winterbottom Stakes preview, selections

Dec new author
Roar Rookie
20th November, 2014
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Kermadec is the strong favourite coming into the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Dec new author
Roar Rookie
20th November, 2014
0

The national racing focus turns to the west this weekend for Perth’s Super Saturday meeting. The meeting is highlighted by two Group 1 races; the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) and the Railway Stakes (1600m).

A number of Eastern States raiders have made the journey to compete for a slice of the riches on offer in what promises to be a fantastic day of racing at Ascot.

Carlton Draught Railway Stakes 1600m

1. The Cleaner – Br 8 – 58 kgs – Mick Burles/Steven Arnold
Little more needs to be said about the horse that has gained a cult following in Australian racing due to his Spring performances. The frontrunner is a deserving favourite on the back of a gutsy run in the Cox Plate followed by a third in the Emirates Stakes. He had a couple of issues while travelling but if he brings his best form on race day he will be hard to catch.

2. Moriarty – Br 19 – 57 kgs – Chris Waller/Nash Rawiller
Chris Waller was in two minds as to whether accept for this race or trial Moriarty on the way to his target race, the Kingston Town Classic, in a fortnight. The visitor’s draw doesn’t help at all, but he will get back anyway and is capable of figuring if breaks go his way.

3. Smokin’ Joey – Br 6 – 56 kgs – Wez Hunter/Ben Melham
Finished last in this race last year as favourite, coming off a second to Boban in the Emirates Stakes. He is not quite in the same form this year, having finished midfield in his last couple of efforts in Melbourne behind Hucklebuck. His best is certainly good enough but will need to improve on recent efforts to win this.

4. Alma’s Fury – Br 18 – 55.5 kgs – Tony Gollan/Michael Rodd
Another visitor to fare poorly at the barrier draw, Alma’s Fury remains under notice courtesy of a strong last start second behind subsequent Group 1 winner, Hucklebuck. Will press forward from the draw and with average luck in running will make his presence felt in the finish.

5. Mr Moet – Br 14 – 55.5 kgs – Adam Durrant/Paul Harvey
The winner of this race in 2012, Mr Moet hasn’t raced for nearly a year. He has had a couple of trials going into this race, a similar path he followed leading in to the 2012 victory and on that basis must be considered in the mix if he gets luck at the right time.

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6. Ihtsahymn – Br 10 – 54.5 kgs – Fred Kersley/Steven Parnham
The reigning WA Horse of the Year suffered an untimely bout of Cardiac Arrhythmia in his first up run in the Birthday Stakes, requiring a couple of trials before fair runs in his two latest lead up runs. Understandably, he is not in the same form as this time last year when the dominant horse in the state, but drops to 54.5kgs and can’t be underestimated.

7. Elite Belle – Br 16 – 53.5 kgs – Grant Williams/William Pike
The classy mare comes into the race with undeniable claims after a stunning win in the Prince of Wales Stakes followed by a last start fourth to Magnifisio when steaming home in a slowly run race. Drawn a touch wide but gets in beautifully in the handicap conditions with 53.5kgs and will be charging late.

8. Amorino – Br 2 – 53 kgs – Grant Williams/Shaun Meeres
Shaped as a contender for this race in the autumn when winning five of six at one point, highlighted by a dominant victory in the Bunbury Stakes. Has been only fair in two runs back this time and another that may need to improve to be a contender in this.

9. Balmont Girl – Br 15 – 53 kgs – Paula Wagg/Shaun O’Donnell
One of the stars of the Perth autumn, the mare has impressed in two lead up runs, most recently when gaining automatic qualification into the Railway with a powerful victory in the Asian Beau Stakes on November 1. She defeated many of her opponents here in that win and while the barrier draw may have dented her hopes slightly, she looms as one of the main chances.

10. Bass Strait – Br 3 – 53 kgs – Neville Parnham/Chris Parnham
The former Victorian gets a berth in this race courtesy of a win in the RJ Peters last Saturday. Was afforded a textbook ride on that occasion by Chris Parnham and is drawn to take up a prominent position again here. Won’t be far away.

11. Chester Road – Br17 – 53 kgs – Adam Durrant/Peter Hall
This galloper hasn’t been seen on a racetrack since late 2012, sustaining a tendon injury on the eve of the 2013 Perth Cup when favourite. Like Mr Moet, enters this race on the back of two trials only. Connections will be hoping for him to be running on late with the Perth Cup his target.

12. Fancy Feet – Br 20 – 53 kgs – Shane Quilty/Ryan Hill
Another horse looking towards the staying features, Fancy Feet steps back from the 1800m Ascot Gold Cup a fortnight ago. From the far outside draw she will need plenty to go her way to play a part in the finish.

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13. Fuchsia Bandana – Br 11 – 53 kgs – Darren McAuliffe/Jarrad Noske
Booked her spot in the field with a strong win in the Northerly Stakes on October 18. Was just nabbed by Magnifisio on the line last start, however finished comfortably clear of a couple of opponents in this.

The mare will make her own luck near the pace and must be a considered a strong chance, the query being whether she will get a strong mile in her first try at the trip.

14. Platinum Rocker – Br 9 – 53 kgs – Simon Miller/Peter Knuckey
Ran second in this race last year in a brave on-pace effort, holding off all challengers other than the champ Luckygray. Slight query as to whether she is in quite the same form as she was leading into that but must be respected on the minimum and from a nice draw.

15. Ranger – Br 5 – 53 kgs – Adam Durrant/Dom Tourneur
Started equal favourite in this race in 2011, three weeks after his last race win. Will get a long way back and can’t see him picking up the field on current form. If Dom Tourneur can conjure a win he will have his pick of the BMW showroom.

16. Respondent – Br 1 – 53 kgs – Grant Williams/Brad Parnham
The reigning WA derby winner has run well in each of his three lead up runs, sneaking into the field with his second placing last week in the race named in his owner’s honour. Not sure the barrier is of great help as he normally gets back to around midfield in his races but has to be considered one of the main chances.

17. Trading Day – Br 12 – 53 kgs – Warren Wilson/Jason Whiting
First emergency. Connections will be sweating on a withdrawal to allow Trading Day a start. One of the form horses of the winter, he has improved with each run this campaign and is capable of running a bold race on the pace if he gains a start.

18. Express Service – Br 13 – 53 kgs – Darren McAuliffe/Rider not named
Tough front runner Express Service boxed on very well in the Peters last Saturday and is another with the Kingston Town as its main goal.

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19. Miss Rose De Lago – Br 7 – 53 kgs – Simon Miller/Jason Brown
Simon Miller has been playing catch up with this high quality mare all campaign and she wasn’t able to force her way into the field.

20. Rebelson – Br 4 – 53 kgs – Darren McAuliffe/Rider not named
Another heading to the Kingstown Town, Rebelson won’t get a start and will run instead in the Tattersall’s Cup.

Selections
1st The Cleaner
2nd Balmont Girl
3rd Elite Belle
4th Fuchsia Bandana

Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes 1200m

1. Moment of Change – Br 4 – 58.5kgs – Peter Moody/Luke Nolen
The six-year-old gelding has had a lean streak at the 1200m, his closest result being a nose second behind Buffering in this race last year. Showed he is on track for another bold showing with strong efforts in the Manikato and Darley Classic. Will be strong late.

2. Sidestep – Br 2 – 58.5kgs – John O’Shea/Nash Rawiller
A couple of minor setbacks early in the spring campaign may prove a blessing for the Godolphin runner, who comes into this race fresh off a luckless showing in the Darley Classic. Nash Rawiller takes the mount for the first time. Sure to be around the mark.

3. Bel Sprinter – Br 3 – 58.5 kgs – Jason Warren/Ben Melham
Dead heated with Miracles of Life in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint two starts back before bungling the start hopelessly on Derby Day and then running home strongly behind Deep Field. Possibly a class rung just below the main fancies but respect that fact it has been set for this race.

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4. Waterman’s Bay – Br 7 – 58.5kgs – Dan Morton/Steven Arnold
The West Australian returns home for a crack at the home Group 1 after a moderate Spring campaign in Melbourne in some of the lesser sprints. Best effort in those was behind In Cahoots at Caulfield on October 15 when trapped wide and not beaten far. Would need to find his very best form here to be a winning chance.

5. Testamezzo – Br 10 – 58.5kgs – Daniel Pearce/Peter Knuckey
Comes into this race on the back of a ripping second in the Colonel Reeves Sprint on Melbourne Cup day. On that occasion he blew the start before being held up in the straight and rattling late. One of the better local hopes but this field represents a significant step up in class.

6. Shining Knight – Br 12 – 58.5kgs – Grant Williams/William Pike
A galloper laden with ability, Shining Knight has threatened to become one of the State’s top sprinters and gets his chance here. Sat midfield before finishing powerfully to win the Colonel Reeves. May not get the same run here from the awkward draw but watch for him late.

7. Tiger Pete – Br 1 – 58.5kgs – Steve Wolfe/Shaun McGruddy
The best is probably behind this galloper, who has not won for over a year. Comes into this with decent effort in ratings races but will find this tough.

8. Eclair Big Bang – Br 9 – 58.5 kgs – Phillip Stokes/Dom Tourneur
Another raider that has been performing well of late in lesser races in Melbourne. Was a luckless third two starts back behind In Cahoots before a last gasp win at Flemington on Stakes Day. Hasn’t drawn particularly well but the stable is flying and must be respected.

9. Rock Magic – Br 13 – 58.5 kgs – Chris Gangemi/Jarrad Noske
The former NSW gelding hit a purple patch of form during the Perth winter, winning four on the trot, culminating with a win in the Farnley Stakes. Has had a short let up before returning with a solid fifth behind Shining Knight. Another that may find the step up to WFA too difficult at this stage of his caree

10. Windswept – Br 6 – 58.5 kgs – Chris Gangemi/Brad Parnham
Another former NSW galloper in the Chris Gangemi stables, Windswept has run some nice races this time in but races a steep learning curve here. Looks to be outclassed in this.

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11. Ysmael – Br 3 – 58.5kgs – Adam Durrant/Joe Azzopardi
Booked his spot in this race with a stunning effort to come from near last a week ago. Will be ridden for luck and even with some, would be surprised to see him in the finish.

12. Magnifisio – Br 11 – 56.5 kgs – Jim Taylor/Jason Brown
The star female of the Western Australia sprinting ranks, Magnifisio showed her trademark turn of foot when defeating Fuchsia Bandana here a fortnight ago. From the wide draw she will need some luck to find a spot in running and if she gets that, she will be attacking the line strongly over the concluding stages.

13. Angelic Light – Br 5 – 56.5 kgs – Robbie Griffiths/Damien Oliver
Race favourite and deservedly so. Boasts a win over Lankan Rupee three back before finishing close up in the Moonee Valley feature sprints. Good around the bend, she missed Flemington to be saved for this. The month between runs is perfect and Damien Oliver takes the mount. The one to beat.

Selections
1st Angelic Light
2nd Magnifisio
3rd Moment of Change
4th Sidestep

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