Track: Soft 5 Weather: Fine

There is a full field of 16 runners plus 4 emergencies for the 2024 Swan Draught Railway Stakes with 14 geldings, a stallion and 5 mares. There are five four-year-olds, four five-year-olds, seven six-year-olds, three seven-year-olds and an eight-year-old. Nine runners had their last start in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 9th November (won by Casino Seventeen), 3 (including 2 emergencies) in the Group 3 R.J. Peters Stakes over 1500m at Ascot on 16th November (both by Mojo Rhythm), two in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 2^nd November (won by Super Smink) and 2 (both are emergencies) in the Listed Luckygray Stakes over 1800m at Ascot on 9th November (won by Diamond Scene), while the rest came via different races. Four runners are sired by Playing God and 2 by Universal Ruler. Grant & Alana Williams have 3 runners, while Neville Parnham and Ciaron Maher have 2 each.

The betting is very open and the early favourite is Light Infantry Man was a 2.3 length winner of the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes over 1600m at Flemington last start. Second favourite is Belclare who comes off a win in the Group 2 Hot Danish over 1400m at Rosehill on 9th November. Third favourite is Zipaway who resumed for 4^th in the Lee Steere. Super Smink won the Asian Beau Stakes. Democracy Manifest was an unlucky 3^rd in the Group 3 Craven Plate over 1600m at Randwick last start, while Socks Nation comes off 3^rd in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes over 1600m at Flemington. The other runners are currently $18 or longer.

1. Belclare (14)

Comes off a win in the Group 2 Hot Danish over 1400m at Rosehill on 9th November and is a tough mare who is in-form.​

2. Bustler (10)

Won this race last year. Was a close 2nd in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes over 1400m at Ascot at his latest start. In the mix.​

3. Casino Seventeen (11)

Last-start winner of the Lee Steere. Can be in the finish again.

4. Democracy Manifest (19)

This Chris Waller runner was an unlucky 3^rd in the Group 3 Craven Plate over 1600m at Randwick last start. Gets the visitors draw of barrier 19 which won’t help, and is having his first start here. Don’t dismiss.​

5. Light Infantry Man (2)

Was a 2.3 length winner of the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes over 1600m at Flemington last start. That was a strong performance and he looks one of the main chances.​

6. Magnificent Andy (1)

Drawn ideally. Was 0.3 length 3rd in the Lee Steers and goes well at the track. Can place.

7. Comfort Me (6)

Runner-up in this race in both 2021 and 2022. He is the oldest runner in the race this year. Resumed with a win in the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes over 1400m then was swamped in a busy finish in the Lee Steere after leading into the straight. Don’t write him off.

8. Let’s Galahvant (15)

Ran 1.6 lengths 8th in the Lee Steere. Prefer others.

9. Searchin’ Roc’s (7)

Tough mare who is never far away. Could place.

10. Socks Nation (17)

Comes off 3^rd in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes over 1600m at Flemington. Place chance.​

11. Mojo Rhythm (13)

Won the Group 3 R.J. Peters Stakes over 1500m at Ascot on 16th November. Put him in the exotics.​

12. Port Lockroy (9)

NSW raider that was 6th in the Golden Eagle last start. Prefer others.

13. Super Smink (18)

Won the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 2^nd November after placing at her first 2 starts this campaign. The wide draw is no help but she could get into the finish.​

14. Triple Missile (4)

Finished 4th in the Asian Beau. Looking to others.

15. Trix Of The Trade (8)

Won this race in 2022 but hasn’t won since then. Unlikely.

16. Zipaway (12)

Resumed for 4^th in the Lee Steere after being held up for the majority of the straight. Chance.​

17. Yonga Lass (5)

She finished 2nd in the R.J. Peters with the best closing splits. It wouldn’t surprise to see her in the finish.

18. Aztec Ruler (20)

Drawn the extreme outside. Has been thereabouts at his last couple bu this looks too hard

19. Diamond Scene (16)

Won the Listed Luckygray Stakes over 1800m at Ascot on 9th November and has 6 wins at this track. Sneaky chance.​

20. Buckets Ridge (3)

Looks tested.

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

Jo Jackson’s Tips
5 Light Infantry Man
13 Super Smink
16 Zipaway
2 Bustler

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	12 Port Lockroy
2nd	7 Comfort Me	0.73 length
3rd	13 Super Smink	0.76 length
4th	6 Magnificent Andy	1.17 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 17e. Yonga Lass, 18e. Aztec Ruler, 19e. Diamond Scene, 20e. Buckets Ridge.