Form analyst, RIC CHAPMAN, looks at every runner in Saturday’s Group 1 the $1.5m Railway Stakes with horse racing tips for the first four. Read on to see how he maps – he has included the potential for a damp track in his thoughts. Good luck!
Ascot R8 – $1.5million Railway Stakes (3YO+) 1600m
1. RESORTMAN (1) 19×3191113
T: Michael Lane / J: Brad Rawiller (57kg)
Fascinating horse because he will be forgotten a bit in the market. And I don’t think he should. He finishes very hard and is up to this level. Is in form and extremely fit too. Won three stakes races on the bounce before finishing hard for 3rd to Massimo and Karli’s Karma 1400m Gr 2 last start. Respect a great deal.
2. YONKERS (11) 66173×5425
T: Chris Waller / J: Paul Harvey (56.5kg)
Great comparison coming up here. Is the Sydney form up to scrutiny here in the west? Is racing well but probably deserves to be as he has had Willy Pike, James McDonald and Frankie Dettori on top his past 3 runs, all at stakes level. No champ but is tough and honest and loves this trip.
3. GOD HAS CHOSEN (17) x411123x87
T: Donna Riordan / J: Clint Johnston-Porter (55,5kg)
Star when right this grade. Likes to charge home like a train and trip, and being 3rd up normally would have me all over him. But, he has changed trainers in the past few weeks. Will be last for home because of this gate and while I suspect he will make ground he may not be the horse he was.
4. KAPTAIN KAOS (3) 40x7018x08
T: Mick Grantham / J: Lucy Warwick (55.5kg)
Has the finishing power to win this. Is 3rd up and on his day is a major contender at this level and trip. Interesting to note, he beat a few of these in a Gr 3 race this trip when 3rd up last campaign. Perfectly drawn too so respect his power.
5. MAROCCHINO (13) 2553352×61
T: Lou Luciani / J: Jason Whiting (55kg)
From this gate he will do just one thing – ping and lead. And being 3rd up, coming off a powerful Northam Cup win this trip last start, makes him really dangerous. Especially if left alone on the speed. Have in your numbers.
6. COMFORT ME (19) 1125x90x45
T: Rhys Radford / J: Peter Knuckey (54kg)
Has talent and always is well supported these events. But from this gate he will find it difficult to get in and get cover. And that should blunt his finishing power. Just behind placegetters in both his stakes races this time up. Have on trust though because of this gate.
7. ALASKAN GOD (14) 7x11111x6
T: Dan Morton /J: Chris Parnham (53kg)
Is a rising star who may well be a rising superstar. Likes to find his legs then charge late. Won the 2400m WA Derby over 2400m in devastating fashion last campaign and his first-up run this time over 1400m was eye-catching when 6th. Trip suits and will be the one hitting the line the hardest. Easily won 2nd up last campaign.
8. BUSTER BASH (12) 71×4211311
T: David Harrison J: Joe Azzapardi (53kg)
Has developed into a rather impressive and progressive racehorse. Has won 4 of past 5 starts, latest pair over 1800m by leading all the way and being too tough. Is up in grade and will get attacked for the front by Marrochino so that may make it tough. Is an interesting competitor, but if he can take a sit and still produce, he’s a player.
9. IRONCLAD (7) 900x170x34
T: Will Clarken / J: Lachlan Neindorf (53kg)
He may be a 7Yo but he is improving every campaign and does shape as one of the hardest to beat here. Carries the same silks as Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip and is 3rd up here. Last start was an eye-catching 4th in record time at Cranbourne over a mile. Super fit now.
10. KARLI’S KARMA (9) 133133×112
T: Summer Dickson / J: Shaun O’Donnell (53kg)
Really fascinating mare. She has done nothing but improve through the grades with every run and now is a contender in a Gr 1 race. Last start at first look at Gr 2 level she was beaten a nostril by Massimo when on speed all the way in fast run Lee steers Stakes over 1400m. If she gets a good trip and can run the trip, she’s a player here.
11. LAST OF THE LINE (18) 5x7x41x504
T: Steve Miller /J: Brad Parnham (53kg)
Good, solid galloper at Gr 3 level but has been set a task here from this wide gate. May have trouble getting in and on that basis looks tested.
12. NOTORIOUS ONE (10) x0964x4006
T: Team Gangemi / J: Laqdar Ramoly (53kg)
Finished closer to last than first most recent starts in grade just below this. Not racing well enough.
13. SEARCHIN’ ROC’S (2) 17x3421x01
T: Jim Taylor/ J: Kyra Yuill (53kg)
Very smart mare. Won the 2000m Belmont Oaks last campaign and then surprised this time up when with leaders all the way and a narrow winner of the Gr 3 Peters over 1500m last start from Let’s Galahvant. This is harder but she is fitter too. Chance.
14. STARTRADE (4) 2011331742
T: Dan Morton J: Chris Nicoll (53kg)
Smart horse and goes well in grades just below this. Is very honest and because of all that plus his terrific gate he is a place shot at odds here.
15. TREASURED STAR (20) 2x1151x81
T: Adam Durrant / J: Willy Pike (53kg)
Smart mare who is rapidly developing into a very smart mare. Finished like a rocket under Willy Pike to win the WA Guineas this trip, this time last year. Then, off the scene for a long time before a stunning but narrow win over Startrade and Trix Of The Trade over 1400m last start. Must be considered with Willy back on.
16. TRIX OF THE TRADE (8) 1111220×13
T: Colin Webster / J: Troy Turner (53kg)
Is going to take some beating. Is another one of those get back types but boy can he finish. Last campaign came from 14th on bend when closing 2nd to Alaskan God at stakes level 2200m. Then, this time up rattled home from 13th on bend to narrowly lose to Treasured Star and Startrade over 1400m last start. Super fit now, this trip suits and will be storming at them late. Big danger.
17. WINNING PARTNER (15) x056200710
T: Team McEvoy / J: Barend Vorster (53kg)
Tough on his day handicapper this trip but his form is inconsistent to have in this strong race.
18. LET’S GALAHVANT (6) 4131311192
T: Team Pearce / J: – (53kg)
Drawn well, has fitness on his side, is very consistent and will be on speed all the way. Those are the good points. The bad ones are, he may struggle late this trip at this grade. Nice horse though.
19. DEVOTED (16) 53x111x673
T: Michael Granthame /J: – (53kg)
May not gain a start but will run well if he does. Did win the 1600m Belmont Guineas on a soft track last prep and was placed behind Searchin’ Roc’s last start when 3rd up. Rough place shot.
20. CHILI IS HOT (5) x3222x4888
T: Graeme Ballantyne/ J: – (53kg)
Wouldn’t win this with a head start.
