Racing Preview – Sat 21 Nov

Railway Stakes – Ascot
The major race of the day is in Perth and several horses from the eastern states have headed over to Western Australia, attracted by the million dollars of prizemoney.

The Group 1 $1,000,000 TMB Carlton Draught Railway Stakes over 1600 metres has a full field of 16 plus 2 emergencies. One horse, Kasabian, is already scratched. The early market has Gold Salute as $3 favourite after his good performances in the Melbourne Spring carnival with a 2nd in the Toorak and 3rd in the Emirates. Next in the early betting market are All American and Ortensia both at $7.50, Grand Nirvana at $8, Spirited One and Tarzi both at $14, Megatic and Sniper’s Bullet at $16 then Largo Lad and Elliotto at $18.

All American beat Gold Salute last start but meets him 2.5kg worse at the weights. Over half of the field are WA trained and local horses traditionally lead up to the Railway Stakes via the Asian Beau Stakes and RJ Peters Stakes at Ascot. Last years winner Gilded Venom came 1st and 2nd in those 2 races and the 2007 winner El Presidente won them both. Local horse Elliotto has come 2nd and 1st in these lead-up races so has to be a chance. Trained by Neville Parnham he will be ridden by his son Steven.

Jo’s tips: 1. Gold Salute, 2. All American, 3. Elliotto

Eclipse Stakes – Sandown
The Group 3 $125,000 Betfair Eclipse Stakes over 1800 metres has a field of 16 runners. The early betting market has Rose Syrah as early favourite at $4.40 just ahead of Sale Cup winner Offenders at $4.60. Next in the market is Rhyno Chaser at $7.50, Dane Julia at $8.50, Bashful Girl at $10, Playwright at $11 then Blutigeroo and Markus Maximus both at $12.

Dane Julia is coming off a last start win at this track and has won 2 of her 3 starts over the distance. Offenders won from Nine Tails at his last start, then Nine Tails beat a good field at Sandown, making the form look good. Rose Syrah is well-weighted but hasn’t been tested over more than a mile.

Jo’s tips: 1. Dane Julia, 2. Offenders, 3. Rose Syrah

Ferrier Hodgson Stakes Handicap – Eagle Farm
The $100,000 Ferrier Hodgson stakes Handicap over 1200 metres has a full field of 18 runners and one emergency. The early betting market is very interesting as the emergency, Whitefriars, is early favourite at $3.40. Next is Youthful Jack at $3.80, Ghetto Blaster at $4.80, Black Prince and Heart Of The Citi both at $9.50, Express Air at $10 and Mr Hornblower at $14.

Ghetto Blaster has an excellent record at this track and distance and was 2nd by a nose when first-up a Doomben last start. Heart Of The Citi has won his last 2 starts and never seems to run a bad race, although he is drawn out very wide in barrier 17 here. Youthful Jack is a nice type of horse who also likes this track and distance.

Jo’s tips: 1. Ghetto Blaster, 2. Heart Of The Citi, 3. Youthful Jack