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Railway Stakes Tips & Runner-By-Runner Preview

Blackbook Staff

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Last updated: 18 Nov 2021

Blackbook Staff 18 Nov 2021

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Get our full preview for the Group 1 Railway Stakes
This 1600m event is one of WA's biggest features
We analyze the chances of all 17 runners
Selections & betting preview is included below

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Can William Pike land another Railway Stakes win? (Getty)

Railway Stakes Tips & Runner-By-Runner Preview

The Perth Summer Carnival heats up on November 20 with the running of the Railway Stakes, one of Western Australia's most famous races.

This 1600m handicap starts a run of three-consecutive Group One cards, with the Winterbottom Stakes and Kingston Town Classic in the coming weeks.

We look at the chances of every runner for the 2021 Railway Stakes.

1. Valour Road (17)

Multiple stakes-winning sprinter, who is being now being tested over the longer trips and was successful in his sole 1600m attempt. The three lead-up runs have been good, however, with 58kg, a soft gate was needed under handicap conditions, with a lot of luck now required from out wide.

2. Massimo (11)

A very honest on-pacer that rewarded the new connections with a brave victory when leading in the Lee Steere Stakes. While he's probably the worst weighted horse in the field (spotting 4.5kg to a Group 1 winner), he generally gives a sight up front and a top four finish is within his grasp.

3. The Velvet King (9)

When firing, The Velvet King is a slightly classier version of Massimo, i.e a competitive on-pacer over most trips, albeit the recent problem has been his tardy getaways, so the lead-up has been far from ideal. Capable enough, but is much less reliable nowadays and have to oppose on current form.

4. Dance Music (15)

Five-time stakes winner that's earned over $1 million and hasn't finished outside the top three since last year's Railway. While not disgraced last start, she was tiring late behind Massimo. Looks up against it here, but wait for her back against the mares via the Jungle Dawn in two weeks.

5. Too Close The Sun (2)

Should lead and raced keenly fresh, trailing off after settling outside Massimo. He does have an excellent record of bouncing back, with four second-up wins from six attempts and did prevail prior to a spell. Was $6 in this last year when second to Inspirational Girl ans is one of the better outsiders ($26.00 @ PlayUp).

6. Comfort Me (16)

Following a costly summer, Comfort Me has won four of his last six outings and is in career best touch now, arriving to The Railway off back-to-back triumphs. It's worth a shot at the stumps, but the map is messy and he hasn't necessarily beaten a lot of late. Is going better than most of these, though.

7. Dig Deep (7)

The 2019 Karrakatta winner broke a winning drought last December and wasn't finished there, with a listed victory in March, while he can improve off what was a workmanlike effort second-up at Northam. Although he maps well for a midfield trail, the last 100m of a testing mile likely finds him out.

8. Kaptain Kaos (10)

Has come a long way this year, winning a Bunbury maiden only in March, but has quickly marched through the grades, recording his first stakes win two back before being completely unsuited last week in a dash home. Draw suits, as will a much faster tempo. He has an each-way chance ($20.00 @ Palmerbet).

9. Kay Cee (6)

On the 53kg minimum as a Group 1 WFA winner, she's the best weighted runner in the field, while with no intent, her two efforts this spring have been reasonable (fastest last 600m in the Lee Steere). While Kay Cee can mix her form, this is a clear target and we have her as the best roughie ($35.00 @ Sportsbet).

10. Kissonallforcheeks (1)

Will warrant interest from the starting price pervs, having gone around at even money versus Western Empire in the Asian Beau and she bounced off that with a win last week. Draws to do no work from barrier one, which is important as this mare is unproven at the mile. Looks to get every favour.

11. Naughty By Nature (12)

Was able to cash in off a consistent run of form in the winter, winning a Group 3 over 2000m before a spell and while she hasn't been disgraced in two spring runs, the one-paced nature of her work suggests she needs further. Outclassed here, but might one to keep an eye on with a Perth Cup in mind.

12. Notorious One (4)

Outside of the fav, who he had some excuses against, he profiles the best for the race as a still lightly raced, but very talented gelding that the in-form Gangemi yard still haven't got to the bottom of. Was six weeks between runs in the Asian Beau, so there's improvement to come. Big chance ($15.00 @ TAB).

13. Platoon (14)

Been a good campaigner in the west for a while and is no stranger to a nice run in a feature, finishing third behind Regal Power in the 2019 Railway Stakes. Off his three spring runs, Platoon is a few lengths off his best and he may well have seen better days. Can't have him off current form.

14. Son Of Bacchus (8)

There'll be no fitter horse in the race, with Son Of Bacchus arriving off four spring runs. With Kissonallforcheeks reeling him late last week, along with a good effort behind Graceful Girl fresh, his recent form isn't exactly terrible, but overall, he looks well short of this level. Not good enough.

15. Tellem We're Comin (15)

Was a $5 chance in the 2019 Railway Stakes and while a lean period followed, the Dan Morton yard have rejuvenated this seven-year-old. Defeated Notorious One four back and his last two performances have had merit, with the blinkers now being applied. Is he the forgotten runner here? ($51.00 @ bookmaker).

16. Western Empire (3)

The market opposed him on return and the punters got it wrong, with this four-year-old recording an arrogant victory. Draws well for Pike, who is aiming for a fourth-consecutive win and while he's still very much developing, this could be yet another Bob Peters star. He's the obvious selection ($1.80 @ bet365).

17. Media Baron (5)

The sole emergency is this grey from the David Harrison yard, who has been a hard runner to follow, with the Kalgoorlie Cup at his mercy in October off a faultless lead in, but he then turned it up. Connections would be ecstatic with a top 10 finish if he got a run.

Verdict

Railway Stakes Preview - November 20

Western Empire is the best winning chance in the 2021 Railway Stakes, while Notorious One and Kay Cee are both good prices for the value hunters.

Western Empire

To Win

@4/5 - 6 Units

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Notorious One

Each Way

@14/1 - 1 Unit

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Kay Cee

Each Way

@34/1 - 1 Unit

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