Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are only 10 runners this year for the $1,000,000 Kingston Town Classic. Five of the runners had their last start in the Group 1 Railway Stakes over 1600m at Ascot on a good track two weeks ago, while the other runners all came through different races, There are seven geldings, two mares and a filly with one three-year-old, two four-year-olds, five six-year-olds, one seven-year-olds and a eight-year-old.  Trainers Grant & Alana Williams, Lindsey Smith and Neville Parnham all have two runners each and have all won this race before, as has David Harrison who has one runner. Five of the jockeys have won this race before at least once. Four of this years runners were in last years race and one was in the 2019 race.

The odds-on favourite is Railway Stakes winner Western Empire who has won his last six starts in a row but rises in weight here and has drawn wide. Second favourite is stablemate Regal Power who finished 4th in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes last outing. Third favourite is three-year-old filly  Searchin’ Roc’s who has five wins from seven starts, has a big weight drop and comes off a solid win in the Group 3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes.

Kissonallforcheeks kept chasing for 3rd in the Railway Stakes after a win in the Group 2 R.J. Peters Stakes at the start before. Notorious One has been running well with 2nd in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes then 4th in the Railway Stakes, while Too Close The Sun finished 5th in the Railway Stakes. All other runners are currently 40 to 1 or longer.

1. Regal Power

One of two runners for Grant & Alana Williams who won this race last year with Truly Great and won in 2018 with Arcadia Queen. He has seven wins and seven places from 25 starts and finished 1.3 lengths 4th in the G3 Northerly Stakes and 2.3 lengths 4th in the G2 Lee Steere Stakes leading into this. He ran in the 2019 edition of this race where he finished 3.1 lengths 6th. Jockey Patrick Carbery won this race in 2017 on Pounamu. An each-way chance.

2. Trap for Fools

One of two runners for Lindsey Smith who won this race with Old Comrade in 2000 and 2001. Jockey Brad Rawiller has also won this race before riding Niconero to victory in 2006 and 2008 for trainer David Hayes. This eight-year-old gelding is the oldest runner this year and ran 3rd in the Listed Farnley Stakes at his last outing, but has won two recent trials since then. He finished 7.5 lengths 13th of 16 in this race last year. Does his best work over longer distances. Rough hope.

3. Neufbosc

One of two runners for Neville Parnham who won this race with Kay Cee in 2019 and Playing God in 2010 and 2011. He finished 15th of 16th in this race last year and is another runner who goes better over longer distances, as he went on to win the G2 Perth Cup at the start of this year. His last outing was 3 lengths 6th in the Carbine Club Of WA Stakes. Not expecting him to feature here.

4. Too Close the Sun

One of the Lindsey Smith trained runners. He finished 4th in this race last year after 2nd in the Railway Stakes. This year he finished 5th in the Railway Stakes. Not the worst.

5. Platoon

The second runner for Neville Parnham is sired by Playing God who won this race in 2010 and 2011. He will be ridden by Steven Parnham, the trainer -jockey combination that won in 2019, 2011 and 2010. Steven also won on Ihtsahymn in 2013 for trainer Fred Kersley. Platoon finished 6th in this race last year and 12th in 2019. He comes off 9 lengths 10th in the Railway Stakes. Looking to others.

6. Notorious One

This six-year-old Animal Kingdom gelding trained by Chris & Michael Gangemi has seven wins and three places from his 16 starts. He finished 2nd in the G3 Asian Beau Stakes then 4th in the Railway Stakes. Could place.

7. Western Empire

One of the two runners for Grant & Alana Williams. This four-year-old has won his last six starts. He has seven wins and four places from 12 starts and has never finished further back than 4th. This campaign he was a 2 length winner of the Asian Beau Stakes then a 4 length winner of the Railway Stakes. Jockey William Pike won this race on Arcadia Queen in 2018 and Perfect Reflection in 2015. It is hard to imagine this horse getting beaten. Should win easily.

8. Dance Music

This six-year-old War Chant mare trained by Simon A Miller has 12 wins and 12 places from 30 starts. She ran 3rd in the Lee Steers Stakes then finished 6th in the Railway Stakes and likes this track. Wouldn’t surprise to see her run well.

9. Kissonallforcheeks

Trained by Daniel Morton this Written Tycoon mare has eight wins and five places from 16 starts. She won the G3 R.J. Peters Stakes on 13 November then was 3rd in the Railway Stakes on 20 November. She will be ridden by Chris Parnham who rode Truly Great to win this race last year. One of the chances.

10. Searchin’ Roc’s

This three-year-old filly has five wins and a place from her seven starts and has a big weight advantage over the other runners with only 50 kg to carry. She is trained by David Harrison who won this race with Blevvo in 2002. She finished 2nd in the Burgess Queen Stakes on 2 November then was a strong winner of the G3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes on 13 November. A key player.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
7. Western Empire
10. Searchin’ Roc’s
1. Regal Power
9. Kissonallforcheeks

Listed Pakenham Cup 2021 (Pakenham 2500m)

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: –

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1. Regal Power
2nd	7. Western Empire	0.48 length
3rd	9. Kissonallforcheeks	0.9 length
4th	4. Too Close The Sun	1.21 lengths