Ascot will host their final Group One of 2019 and the Kingston Town Classic is shaping up to be another fantastic race.
The betting market for the Kingston Town Classic suggests that there are a number of winning chances in what looks to be a very open edition of the race.
Continue reading for our full runner-by-runner preview of the 2019 Kingston Town Classic and see our tip for the race.
Gailo Chop
Gailo Chop is racing like a horse whose best days are beyond him. He showed some promise with a good third behind Black Heart Bart and Homesman in the Underwood Stakes, but he has since failed to measure up in the Ladbrokes Stakes, Crystal Mile and the Mackinnon Stakes. It would be a surprise to see him return to Group 1 winning form.
Gatting
Gatting scored a big upset win in the Makybe Diva Stakes during the Spring Racing Carnival, but he has not performed at that level since. He wasn’t disgraced when he finished seventh in the Railway Stakes and he will appreciate the step-up to 1800 metres. In saying that, he might not have as much upside as some of the other horses in this field.
Tally
Tally is the value runner in Kingston Town Classic betting. He clearly wasn’t suited to the drop back in trip to 1400 metres in the Carbine Club and that should be treated as nothing more than a barrier trial. His form before that was excellent. He gave Happy Clapper a genuine race in the Craven Plate and he was far too good for his rivals in the Rosehill Gold Cup. If he is able to return to that sort of form, he will be tough to beat and the $15 currently available is well and truly over the odds.
Star Exhibit
Star Exhibit is another horse that appeals in Kingston Town Classic betting. His first-up victory in the Lee Steere Stakes was excellent and he found the line nicely in the Railway Stakes. The 1800 metres of the Kingston Town Classic is ideal for him, but his racing pattern does mean that he always needs some luck in running. The Perth Cup still seems like his major target.
Best Of Days
Best Of Days finished second behind Regal Power in the Railway Stakes and there is an argument to be made that he really should have won. He has been racing well without winning during his current campaign and there is no reason that he won’t be in the mix once again. The step-up to 1800 metres shouldn’t be a problem for him and he is a galloper that does have tactical versatility.
Achernar Star
Archernar Star comes into the Kingston Town Classic on the back of a fairly tough effort in the Railway Stakes and he is capable of a high-rating performance on his day. His issue might be running out a strong 1800 metres and he did fail to fire in this contest 12 months ago.
Pacodali
Pacodali is racing in career best form and he is worthy of an opportunity in the Kingston Town Classic. His runs in the Crystal Mile and the Kyneton Cup were both good before he beat a strong field to win the Eclipse Stakes at Ladbrokes Park. Whether he has the upside to win a Group 1 of this quality is a genuine question, but his trainer Lindsey Smith is absolutely flying.
Regal Power
Regal Power has the chance to complete the Railway Stakes/Kingston Town Classic double. He ran all the fastest closing sectionals to win the Railway Stakes and he gives the impression that he will be even better over 1800 metres. William Pike has jumped off him, but that only means that there is a better price available. He is one of the horses to beat and is great value at the current quote of $7.50.
The Velvet King
It is tough to see why The Velvet King is the extreme outsider in Kingston Town Classic betting. There is no doubt that 1800 metres will be testing his stamina and he did knock up late in the Railway Stakes, but a more conservative ride should give him every possible chance to run out the trip strongly.
Platoon
Platoon defied his big odds to finish third in the Railway Stakes and there was plenty to like about that performance. Whether he will be able to replicate that sort of performance again is a question mark and the step-up to weight-for-age could prove tough for him.
Mississippi Delta
Mississippi Delta brings a different form line into the Kingston Town Classic after winning the R J Peters Stakes. She was a big drifter on the day and was still able to show an excellent turn-of-foot to get the job done. This is a genuine step-up in quality, but she does have upside and classy acceleration on her day.
Dig Deep
Dig Deep is one of five three-year-olds in the Kingston Town Classic field. He has proven to be a frustrating horse for punters this campaign and he was disappointing when he was beaten in the Western Australian Guineas last start. This is tougher again and $21 does look around the right price.
Jericho Missile
Jericho Missile looked to be heading in the right direction when he won the Belgravia Stakes, but he was beaten as favourite in the Fairetha Stakes and he was terrible In the Western Australian Guineas. I have serious doubts over his ability to run out a strong 1800 metres.
Superstorm
Superstorm didn’t have a great deal of luck in the Kingston Town Classic and he ran the fastest closing 200 metres when he did get a shot at them late. This will only be his fifth race start and there is no doubt that he does have a fair amount of upside. The market does look to have him right at the $10 mark.
Kay Cee
Kay Cee was only narrowly denied by War Saint in the Western Australian Guineas and she did beat Tuscan Queen in the Burgess Queen Stakes earlier this campaign. In saying that, Tuscan Queen did beat her comfortably in the Western Australian Champion Fillies Stakes and she would need to improve to turn-the-tables on his rival.
Tuscan Queen
Tuscan Queen is a clear favourite in Kingston Town Classic betting. She has recorded three wins from her four race starts to date and she showed her quality when she absolutely savaged the line to win the Western Australian Champion Fillies at Ascot last start. The closing sectionals that she produced were that of a very good horse and there is no doubt that she does have a huge amount of upside. I’m still not sure that I can get her as short as her current price though and there are horses at longer odds that I would rather be on.
Kingston Town Classic Tip: Tuscan Queen at $3.20