3 minute read
The big day for Perth arrives with the running of the Railway Stakes at Ascot.
Sadly this year the interstate representation is mostly made up of those past their best or struggling to find it.
But you have to have a go in the big one and we'll do that giving the jockey/trainer/owner combination their third win on the trot.
After an excellent Spring in Melbourne, by the end of it anyway, they brought home two Group 1s and this can add to it with Inspirational Girl set to charge with no weight.
William Pike was so keen to get back for this meeting that he relinquished the ride on his girl Arcadia Queen in the Mackinnon to have two weeks of quarantine and then to ride on Railway Stakes day.
That was a good enough reason to suggest that Inspirational Girl is the right one, especially carrying 53kg.
She has a great record with eight wins from ten runs and the Asian Beau win was superb coming from back to run over Too Close The Sun who has since confirmed that form with a massive effort.
Twice a winner over the mile, she draws midfield to race around there as well and then the master can weave through as he has done so often in feature Ascot races.
The horse she defeated, Too Close The Sun, is a really good chance to be there at the end on the back up. To complete that form line, Red Can Man was third in the Asian Beau and will be riding the speed all the way. 4yos run well in this race.
But the girl it is – we should do better on the day although the Pike fans might be throwing all their winnings on.
The other main race on a top card is the WA Guineas and it is a wide open affair. The obvious first go to is Gemma's Son having been close up at WFA against the Railway horses.
But there is a horse on the rise in the famous colours that appears a dead set miler in the shape of Western Empire.
The son of Iffraaj stepped from 1100m from 1400m in the Fairetha and really battled on bravely.
He has to be better for that up in ground and third up at the mile is perfect. There will be plenty of moves here, and in typical Pike style, be last man on the scene finishing best.
All we need is a run now.
BEST FROM THE WEST
BET OF THE DAY: Race 8 #11 Inspirational Girl @ $3.80
EACH WAY PLAY: Race 6 #17 Western Empire @ $7.00