Railway Stakes – 2023

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a full field of 16 runners plus 3 emergencies for the $1,500,000 Railway Stakes with 13 geldings, a stallion and 5 mares. There is one four-year-old, nine five-year-olds, four six-year-olds and five seven-year-olds. Nine runners had their last start in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 11th November, 3 (including an emergency) in the Group 3 R.J. Peters Stakes over 1500m at Ascot on 18th November and 2 (both are emergencies) in the Listed Luckygray Stakes over 1800m at Ascot on 11th November, while the rest came via different races. Three runners are sired by Playing God and 2 by Trade Fair. Grant & Alana Williams have 2 runners.

The betting is very open and the early favourite is Alsephina who has had 2 starts since resuming for runner-up in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes over 1400m  and runner-up in the R J Peters. Second favourite is Tuvalu who has placed in his last 3 runs in Melbourne including 2nd to Alligator Blood in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes. Third favourite is Roots who comes off a win in the Group 2 Hot Danish over 1400m at Rosehill on 11th November. Bustler is drawn well and has 4 wins at Ascot. Karli’s Karma was a strong winner of the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes over 1400m at Ascot. Forgot You won the Listed Melbourne Cup Day Plate over 1800m. Marocchino won the Asian Beau Stakes at triple figure odds before running 7th in the Lee Steere a week later, while Dom To Shoot was wide throughout when 2nd in the Lee Steere. The other runners are currently $26 or longer.

1. Tuvalu (4)

He has placed in his last 3 runs in Melbourne including 2nd to Alligator Blood in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes. Has a great record at the distance and will give this a shake if he can handle the heat. Serious player.

2. Marocchino (14)

Two starts ago he won the Asian Beau Stakes at triple figure odds before running 7th in the Lee Steere a week later, where the trainer believed the 7 day back-up didn’t suit. Don’t write him off.

3. Comfort Me (18)

Runner-up in this race last year and the year before. One of 3 runners sired by Playing God (the others are Bustler and Mojo Rhythm). He’s placed at both runs since resuming, running 3rd in the Lee Steere. Drops 5kg from last start and is ready to peak third-up. Place chance.

4. Dom To Shoot (12)

Was wide throughout when 2nd in the Lee Steere when resuming. Generally im[proves second-up. Place chance.

5. Roots (15)

Eastern raider from the Chris Waller stable who comes off a win in the Group 2 Hot Danish over 1400m at Rosehill on 11th November. Drawn wide but can threaten.

6. Trix Of The Trade (1)

Last year’s winner of this race. One of 2 runners sired by Trade Fair (the other is Startrade). His lead-up form isn’t as good as last year but he is undefeated at the mile.

7. Alsephina (7)

One of 2 runners for Grant & Alana Williams (the other is Casino Seventeen). This mare has had 2 starts since resuming for runner-up in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes over 1400m  and runner-up in the R J Peters. She has 9 wins and 4 places from her 13 starts and at her best she can win this.

8. Bustler (2)

This 4YO is the youngest runner this year. is drawn well and has 4 wins at Ascot. One for the exotics.

9. Forgot You (19)

Another eastern states raider. He won the Listed Melbourne Cup Day Plate over 1800m and gets the visitor’s draw of barrier 19 here. Not the worst.

10. Karli’s Karma (8)

She was a strong winner of the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes over 1400m at Ascot last start, with the best closing splits. In the mix.

11. Last Of The Line (13)

Ran last in the Lee Steere. Prefer others.

12. Massimo (17)

Resumed for 4th in the Eurythmic then 4th in the Lee Steere. Prefer him in the 1200-1400m range but is still a sneaky place chance.

13. Mojo Rhythm (6)

Surprise winner of the RJ Peters last start, beating Alsephina. Meets her 5kg worse at the weights here but looks as if the extra 100m will suit.

14. Searchin’ Roc’s (5)

She’s hard to follow but is nicely drawn here and has won at the track and distance. Respect.

15. Startrade (10)

Finished 3rd in this race last year. Unplaced in all 3 runs this preparation. Looking to others.

16. The Velvet Queen (16)

Resumed for 6th in the Lee Steere where she made up good ground late. Not the worst

17e. Casino Seventeen (3)

Returned from a spell for 3rd in the Listed Northam Cup on 29th October then 0.8 length 4th in the Listed Luckgray Stakes over 1800m on 11th November. Carries 5kg less than last start. Not the worst.

18e. Let’s Galahvant (9)

Won the Northam Cup before 0.8 length 3rd in the Group 3 R.J Peters Stakes. In the mix if he gets a run.

19e. River Rubicon (11)

Yet to win beyond 1400m. This looks too hard.

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

Jo Jackson’s Tips
7 Alsephina
1 Tuvalu
9 Forgot You
2 Marocchino

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	8 Bustler
2nd	7 Alsephina	1.04 lengths
3rd	4 Dom To Shoot	1.47 lengths
4th	6 Trix Of The Trade	2.23 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 17e. Casino Seventeen, 18e. Let’s Galahvant, 19e. River Rubicon.