Group 1 racing returns to Perth on Saturday, and the Railway Stakes headlines another strong nine-race program!
The west is currently experiencing a heatwave, and the Railway Stakes program will kick off at 2:05pm local time, meaning that the Group 1 feature won’t be witnessed by us east coasters until 9:09pm AEDT!
I’ve run the rule over every race, and you can find my complete 2023 Railway Stakes Day Tips below.
Drummond Gold Handicap (2100m) – 5:05pm AEDT
Diamond Scene has recorded three wins from as many starts this time in and looms as the one to beat again in the first on Railway Stakes Day.
The Donna Riordan-trained gelding was an eye-catching winner in Class 3 company at his first run back, and he has only proven to be more dominant at each of his two subsequent starts.
He’s hard fit, Willie Pike rides and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Diamond Scene
Westspeed Platinum Series Heat 3 (1400m) – 5:45pm AEDT
Playz With Fire has finished second at each of two starts back from a break, and this looks the perfect opportunity for her to go one better.
The Playing God mare was just over a length behind a fit Capricorn Man over 1200m here late last month, and she chased home Deamber at her latest.
Fitter third-up and out to the 1400m this week, I think she can help William Pike to an early double on Railway Stakes Day.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Playz With Fire
Amelia Park Handicap (1400m) – 6:25pm AEDT
Brooklyn Pier has returned two nice performances since resuming and strikes another winnable race at Ascot on Saturday.
The Magnus gelding didn’t attract a lot of interest in betting ahead of his return here in October, but he het the line to record an impressive victory, before only just missing over 1400m here at his latest.
Fitter third-up and under regular rider Steven Parnham, he can fight out the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Brooklyn Pier
Magic Millions Gai Waterhouse Crystal Slipper Stakes (1100m) – 7pm AEDT
There isn’t a lot of form to study ahead of this race for two-year-olds, but I thought that Onemoretwomany was very good on debut, and he can keep alive his unbeaten record.
The Tassort gelding showed plenty of promise at the trials prior to debuting and put the writing on the wall with an eye-catching win here a fortnight ago.
With natural improvement, I think that he’ll be fighting out the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Onemoretwomany
Listed A.J. Scahill Cup (2100m) – 7:33pm AEDT
Casino Seventeen is the first emergency in this year’s Railway Stakes field, but should he not gain a start in that race, I think he’ll be winning this one.
The Casino Prince gelding has been excellent since arriving in Western Australia, and he picked off several nice races last time in.
He’s yet to strike in two starts back this time, but hasn’t been far away from the winner in either of the Northam Cup or the Luckygray Stakes, and the 2100m does look as though it will suit.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Casino Seventeen
Listed Carbine Club Of W.A. Stakes (1400m) – 8:03pm AEDT
Magnificent Andy is hard fit, and I am happy to stick with him when he goes around on Railway Stakes Day.
The Magnus gelding recorded consecutive race wins second and third-up this time, including the Listed Hannans out at Kalgoorlie, and he has just missed placing at each of his last two.
Given how close he was to Alsephina in the RJ Peters Stakes last weekend, and that horse’s current position in Railway Stakes betting, I’m confident that this bloke can justify his market favouritism.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Magnificent Andy
Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) – 8:34pm AEDT
Good race with a couple of key winning chances engaged in this WA Guineas, but I am going to stick with the unbeaten Keshi Boom.
Keshi Boom stamped herself as one to watch with an easy win on debut back in July, and she has only continued to improve with each start back this time, and as the bar has been raised, culminating in an easy win in the Champion Fillies Stakes last week.
She’s hard fit and should get every chance again under Willie Pike.
Suggested Bet: No. 14 Keshi Boom
Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) – 9:09pm AEDT
This is another strong edition of the Railway Stakes, with a decent local contingent stepping out alongside some classy interstate raiders.
I’ve put Tuvalu on top, but be sure to check out my full race preview and complete 2023 Railway Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Tuvalu
Have You Got The Touch Handicap (1200m) – 9:41pm AEDT
Saloon Bar takes winning form into the last on Railway Stakes Day, and he looks well placed to make it two in a row.
The Sessions gelding has continued to improve with each run back from a break, and his victory over this route last time was deserved.
He’s a few weeks between starts, but I don’t think that will be anything of an issue, while he has drawn ideally under Jarrad Noske.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Saloon Bar