The final Group 1 of 2013 is upon us with the Kingston Town Classic which has traditionally been the weight-for-age championship of Western Australia. Join us from 7.45pm AEDT for a preview and live blog of the race.
As one of only two Group 1 races run over 1800m under weight-for-age conditions, the Kingston Town Classic is an excellent race to round out the year’s Group 1s.
The only other 1800m Group 1 race in Australia is the Underwood Stakes which earlier in October, proved to be the best race we have seen all year.
The mix of middle distance and staying prowess makes 1800m the most underutilised distance amongst Australian Group racing and always delivers a spectacle.
The year’s Kingston Town is headlined by West Australian champion, Luckygray who took out this race last year.
After an unlucky season on the East coast where he failed to adapt to the softer track conditions, he was transferred to Trevor Andrews to continue his racing career in Perth.
Back on his home turf on firm ground at Ascot, Luckygray flew home in the Group Railway Stakes to show he has lost no form and simply didn’t handle the East coast. With his signature turn of foot, top weight under handicap conditions proved no problem.
He gets a big weight swing in his favour here with the step to weight-for-age class and his position at the top of the market is justified.
Mr Moet must be respected here after taking on the nation’s best during the Melbourne spring carnival. Although he has not won this season, this is a small step down in class for him.
His run in the Railway Stakes was deceiving because he missed the jump and was never really in the race yet still improved from last to finish seventh.
He ran fourth in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes so he’s proven over the distance and runs well at weight-for-age level.
Playing God is another previous winner of this race after taking out both the 2010 and 2011 renewals. His form has tapered off over the past 12 months but his target remains the Perth Cup which is why he isn’t particularly fancied here.
Nevertheless, he ran on just as well as Mr Moet did in the Railway Stakes but the weight swing here goes against him.
Like the Cox Plate, any three-year-old which lines up in a weight-for-age race like this must come under serious consideration solely for their enormous weight claim.
Carrying just 52kg, Ihtsahymn is much more than a frustrating name to type.
The three year old comes in off the back of a one length win in the Group 1 WA Guineas
By Ihtiram, we have not seen enough of his progeny to accurately predict Ihtsahymn’s true chances of winning this because the three year old’s form throughout the season has been inconsistent.
The bookies however are taking no chances which is why the colt looks under the odds.
Of the rest, Ranger has been dealt a cruel blow after being a late withdrawal from the Railway Stakes where he’d beaten the handicapper but faces a stiff test at weight-for-age level.
Tips
1. Luckygray
2. Mr Moet
3. Playing God
4. Elite Belle
Alfred Chan
Expert
There you have it folks! This ends our live coverage of the final Australian Group 1 race of 2013! Ihtsahymn has beaten the older horses to take out the Kingston Town Classic with jockey Steven Parnham claiming his third. It's been a fantastic year of horse racing coverage here on The Roar. Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing you in 2014!
Cam Rose
Guest
Three year olds, three year olds, three year odds. Too advantaged at WFA, I don't care what anyone says.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Ranger was last home. Disappointing. No longer good enough at WFA level.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Playing God's run was good but he'd lost the race at the start when pulled for about 400m. Paul Harvey had no choice but to let him go. He finished off quite well to hold on for fourth.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Perhaps we might see Ihtsahymn in Sydney or Melbourne at some stage?
Alfred Chan
Expert
Ihtsahymn got a lovely trail behind Rohan all the way. When Playing God swung into the straight, Ihtsahymn pulled out and took the lead with ease. This horse has some staying ability! To beat Luckygray is a huge feat because his run was identical to what he did in the Railway Stakes.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Luckygray was finishing stronger than anything else in the field but Ihtsahymn found a kick and just held on by head.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Steven Parnham wins his third Kingston Town Classic with Ihtsahymn holding on to beat Luckygray and Rohan. Playing God held on for fourth.
Alfred Chan
Expert
And we're off in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic!!! Luckygray jumps evenly, Rohan jumps best, Pushes top the lead, Playing God is pulling, Mr Moet has gone out the back, Luckygray shy of midfield, Ihtsahymn has a fantastic sit in fourth. Rohan still leads, Playing God has taken the lead now on a searching run, He was pulling too much, He leads from God Has Spoken, Rohan and Ihtsahymn, Luckygray travelling up now, Mr Moet follows Luckygray, Playing God still leads, Ihtsahym lets loose and comes up on them, The 3 year old in front, Luckygray coming! Luckygray storming home! But Ihtsahymn holds on!!!
Alfred Chan
Expert
Loading in now. I like Luckygray and Mr Moet.
Alfred Chan
Expert
He's on his way to the Perth Cup but he's won this race twice before.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Money is coming for Playing God. $10 into $8.00.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Luckygray looks fantastic!
Alfred Chan
Expert
5 minutes from the jump now. There's a trickle of money coming for Mr Moet but not enough to be a market mover.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Luckygray has now drifted out to $2.90. Friendless!
Alfred Chan
Expert
Elite Belle has been in outstanding form but her lack of racing against Group 1 performers leave far too much unknown. I;ve thrown her in for fourth and I think she's the best roughie but I don't see her getting up.
Alfred Chan
Expert
The Grant Williams + William Pike combination must always be given respect and she is the best chance of Williams' three runners.
Alfred Chan
Expert
There has been plenty of late money coming for Elite Belle who is $18 into $12. She is just about the market mover.
Alfred Chan
Expert
Ihtsahymn comes through the Group 2 WA Guineas where he won by one length with a very good turn of foot but the overall quality of the field was nothing compared to what he faces here. Nevertheless, carrying 52kg, people are giving him a big chance.
Alfred Chan
Expert
His run in the Railway was almost career-best and he is the only horse in this field who get's a positive weight swing besides Ihtsahymn who has different formlines.