Kingston Town Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft  Weather: Partly Cloudy.

Fourteen runners have accepted for the $200,000 Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes and there has been one early scratching. The Chris Waller stable has six runners entered for the event, the Waterhouse/Bott stable has two runners entered, whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

Benaud has opened the $4.20 favourite. He was good first up and even better second up in the Chelmsford Stakes. He is ready to rock and roll over the 2000m and should put in a bold performance.

Surefire is on the second line of betting at $4.50. He got too far back in the Chelmsford Stakes which wasn’t the place to be and really struggled to replicate his first run. He should be able to improve nicely and be running on up to 2000m.

Gold Trip rounds out the top three in betting at $4.60. Hit the line brilliantly over an unsuitable distance first up when coming off a long break. He is entered for Caulfield also, so wherever he goes, he will be competitive.

1. Knights Order (4)

Won the Chelmsford Stakes first up in atrocious conditions, he was just too good. Looks to get a soft lead again and could be hard to run down.

2. Kukeracha (8)

Didn’t look comfortable in the conditions last start. A dryer track suits and so does 2000m. Should get a nice run throughout and be around the mark.

3. Stockman (6)

He has had two good runs this preparation now despite the form guide reading ninth and sixth. Finally gets to 2000m which suits, he is drawn nicely and he is back into Group 3 company. Watch for him late.

4. Elephant (7)

SCRATCHED

5. No Compromise (5)

Ran a nice third in the Chelmsford Stakes. He has once against drawn nicely and maps well, and the step up to 2000m is ideal. Good chance.

6. Gold Trip (9)

I have been waiting for his second-up run but he has entered for Caulfield also, so we will have to wait to see if he gets scratched. His first-up run in the Winter Challenge was amazing, considering he wanted further and he was first up in over a year. 2000m is much better for him, Collett riding again is a good choice and despite his draw, I expect him to be smashing the line.

7. Alegron (2)

He was poor in the Chelmsford Stakes, but the distance was unsuitable and he was against the older horses for the first time. I am expecting improvement here and he should be hitting the line nicely.

8. Crystal Pegasus (1)

He was ordinary in the Chelmsford Stakes and he will appreciate the step back up to 2000m, especially with a run under his belt. He is also entered for Caulfield, but if they remain here, he will be fighting out the minors only.

9. Benaud (10)

He had another good run second up in the Chelmsford Stakes, racing wide without cover and still finishing fourth. He will relish the step up to 2000m though he has drawn worse than last start, so he will likely be giving them a start.

10. Sacramento (12)

Was found to be lame post-race last start in a benchmark 94. Entered for Newcastle on Friday as well, regardless, I don’t think he will bother these.

11. Angel of Truth (3)

He ran well enough on resumption and the step up to 2000m is going to be right up his alley. Ran third behind Montefilia and Verry Elleegant in the Ranvet Stakes last preparation when second up. Big chance from a nice draw.

12. Surefire (14)

After winning first up, he raced three wide when in the second half of the field in the Chelmsford Stakes, which wasn’t the place to be. Poor draw here but if he races up to his first-up run, he could be hard to beat.

13. Aleas (11)

I black booked this bloke after his third placing in a benchmark 100 over a very unsuitable distance. He has been entered for Caulfield also, so there is a chance he goes there, but he will love the 2000m and the drying track helps his chances.

14. Francesco Guardi (13)

Been nothing but consistent this preparation. He was a solid second behind Arapaho in the Premier’s Cup and has since had a trial. Drawn poorly. Place chance.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
6 Gold Trip	1 Knights Order
12 Surefire	9 Benaud
1 Knights Order	7 Alegron
9 Benaud	12 Surefire

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	7 Alegron
2nd	9 Benaud	0.49 length
3rd	1 Knights Order	1.29 lengths
4th	3 Stockman	1.57 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 7.

Scratchings: 4. Elephant, 6. Gold Trip, 8. Crystal Pegasus, 10. Sacramento.