The Best Battle West – Railway Stakes Set to Thrill
Exciting times ahead as Ascot Racecourse prepares to host its marquee event, the time-honoured Railway Stakes (1600m). This historic Group 1 pits the best middle-distance horses from West and East against each other with $1.5 million up for grabs.
Contenders Circling for Glory
All eyes are on Tuvalu as the highest-rated galloper in the field. His close third in the Crystal Mile showed he has the class for this company. With champion jockey Jamie Kah piloting, strong pacemaker claims and proven weight-carrying ability, he’s the one to beat.
Marocchino smashed the clock, winning the Asian Beau Stakes, but didn’t back up. He’ll need to rediscover that scintillating turn of foot from gate 14. Dual placegetter Comfort Me draws well and will fight, although his last 200m may be vulnerable.
Keep safe, boom, galloper Alsephina. She ran crackerjack seconds in lead ups while dodging the handicapper, and gets blinkers for the first time. The Weise mare maps to lob just off the speed and will be storming late.
After a luckless run, forgive Bustler’s failure in the recent Lee Steere Quality. He drops big weight here and will park right behind the speed of premier jockey Steve Parnham. At juicy odds, include exotics.
Best of the Rest
Although awkwardly drawn, last year’s winner Trix Of The Trade finished honourably in two lead-up runs. He has the gate speed to hold a forward position and represent value.
Dom To Shoot was enormous in the Lee Steere, closing hard from a wide gate. He meets a similar task here but has the quality to figure out if repeated.
Lightly raced mare Karli’s Karma brings supreme fitness, having not raced for five weeks since a strong Ascot win. She appears held by the handicapper but rates a knockout hope if she brings her A-game.
After trailing in the Lee Steere last start, Massimo needs only to repeat the solid effort two back behind Bustler to play a role here. Expect a more economical ride from a low gate.
Although racing consistently, Mojo Rhythm was fortunate to win the Peters Stakes last start. He rises sharply in grade and would need to lift.
Glorious Uncertainty
Racing is often known as the sport of kings with a playing field ruled by uncertainty.
Casino Seventeen brings irresistible form and breeding as the Perth Cup favourite and is more than capable of gaining a start.
Emerging staying filly Let’s Galahvant shapes as a knockout prospect if reproducing her eye-catching Belmont efforts. She gets in the light and will be powering late.
Can crafty country galloper River Rubicon snatch glory in the last stride as he did in the Northam Cup? Stranger things have happened!
Whatever the outcome, spectators are set for a thrilling battle royale this Saturday. The only way to grab the best odds is checking out the amazing odds on offer across the VBA network.
Remember, to gamble responsibly and ensure you enjoy a wonderful day of racing at Ascot.
