Ten races will take place this Saturday at Ascot, headlined by the Group 1 Railway Stakes over the mile.
Western Empire remains the short-priced favourite in the $1 million feature as William Pike hopes to claim the honours for the fourth year in a row.
We’ve cast our eye over the entire program, and our best bets ahead of Railway Stakes Day can be found below.
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Race 1 – 2:04pm – Tourism WA Trophy (2200m)
Reliable Star won fourth-up during her autumn prep over a touch shorter at Bunbury.
She’s since resumed to win at Belmont first-up and is now coming off a narrow second to Saturday’s favourite Pure Devotion over the track and distance.
The daughter of Reliable Man couldn’t quite fend off the favourite that day, but I think she’ll be better for it with some fitness also on her side. The apprentice claim has been put to good use and there’s plenty of improvement to come.
Race 2 – 2:44pm – Magic Millions-Crystal Slipper Stakes (1100m)
Not a race I’m overly keen on, but it does look a winnable one for Revitup, who debuted three weeks ago for a comfortable victory over the track and trip.
The filly by Demerit pushed forward and led all the way to win by nearly a length, and I really don’t think this race looks any tougher on paper.
Brad Parnham should take a similar sit and I’m happy to have the pair on top.
Race 3 – 3:24pm – Amelia Park Handicap (1800m)
Brave Angel should be fitter for two runs back over the mile and tends to do her best work at Ascot.
The Tavistock mare overcame a wide run in transit to run third three weeks ago and has plenty of room for improvement based on that effort.
She contested much tougher races than this during the autumn, most notably running fourth in the WA Oaks behind Lunar Impact, while the fact she’s won previously over this trip is a big plus.
Race 4 – 4:04pm – Benchmark 66 Handicap (1600m)
Ginger Flyer is a very consistent type that has hardly run a bad race in 17 starts.
Simon Miller’s mare has really come along nicely this prep, winning three of her six starts whilst finishing runner-up on the other three occasions.
She’s on the short backup after finishing runner-up to Beret last Saturday over 1400m, and judging by that performance, she’ll see out the mile nicely.
The five-year-old hasn’t missed the money in three starts over this track and trip, and she’s certainly the one to beat with fitness on her side.
Race 5 – 4:44pm – Listed Placid Ark Stakes (1200m)
This is a step back in grade for Liwa, who went backward down the straight after racing on-speed in the Listed Burgess Queen over 1400m a fortnight ago.
Simon Miller’s filly was far from disgraced the start prior in the Belgravia Stakes though, which makes me think she can bounce back here in a much easier race.
The three-year-old should be better suited getting back and running on, while she’s also a proven commodity at Ascot with two wins and two placings to her name.
Race 6 – 5:25pm – Listed Carbine Club of WA Stakes (1400m)
Watch Me Dance looks well-placed following a complete forget run two weeks ago in the Lee Steere Stakes,
Steve Wolfe’s mare basically weakened late under pressure after tucking in behind the speed, but she should find this easier dropping back in grade and I think there’s definite improvement to come.
She’s won previously third-up from a spell and has drawn to get a similar run in transit with Troy Turner taking over the reins.
Race 7 – 6:05pm – Group 2 Sky Racing WA Guineas (1600m)
Treasured Star was denied her hat-trick in the Burgess Queen in what was a complete forgive run.
William Pike found himself way too far back early on and then copped some interference upon straightening.
I’m confident she would have at least gone on to run a place with clear running room, and providing Pike can settle a little closer, there’s no doubt she’ll be strong in the finish.
Race 8 – 6:45pm – Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m)
The market suggests this is basically Western Empire’s race to lose.
He couldn’t have been any more dominant first-up in the Asian Beau, and the way he let down over the concluding stages suggests he’s ready for the mile in his second run back.
Grant and Alana Williams’ dominance in this race speaks for itself, and with wins to his name over further, I think they’ll be adding to their record with this classy four-year-old.
Race 9 – 7:20pm – Jungle Mist Classic (1200m)
Angelic Miss absolutely loves the 1200m at Ascot where she’s won three times and placed on three other occasions from seven starts.
The Savabeel mare added to that record first-up last month when she put a gap between herself and Universal Pleasure, before going on to run third two weeks ago by a similar margin to Bright Diamond.
She caught the eye late last time out, and with the low draw working in her favour, I think she’ll be tough to beat.
Race 10 – 7:57pm – Drummond Golf Handicap (1200m)
God Has Chosen was given a beautiful run by William Pike last time out and I’m backing history to repeat itself in the last.
The ‘Wizard of the West’ got back early and quickened out wide coming into the turn, going on to gap the rest of the field by nearly three lengths.
The son of Playing God can take improvement away from that run and he’ll only be fitter for it.
Barrier 2 should see him get back again, and with even luck, his turn of foot will do the rest.