Top Perth trainer Lindsey Smith is hoping Scales Of Justice can return to his best form when he steps out for the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.
Tom Melbourne, above with white cap and sleeves, is the favourite for the 2017 Railway Stakes at Ascot. Photo by Steve Hart.
Scales Of Justice was a popular home town winner of the Railway Stakes last year but has failed to find the winner’s stall at his last three starts.
Smith campaigned Scales Of Justice in Melbourne over the Spring Carnival for a second to Redkirk Warrior in the Group 2 $200,000 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) down the Flemington straight on September 16 but had to return home to Perth after sustaining some minor leg injuries when seventh to Santa Ana Lane in the Group 1 $500,000 Keno Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 1.
“He had couple of hiccups getting home after the Rupert Clarke. He got galloped on and his back leg got infected and he lost a little bit of muscle over his rump but he’s coming right,” Smith told racing.com.
Scales Of Justice has had one run back and went down as the odds on $1.50 favourite when third to Railway Stakes rivals Silverstream and Great Shot in the Group 2 $250,000 WAROA-Lee Steere Stakes (1400km) at Ascot on November 11 and Smith is expecting plenty of improvement in the Railway Stakes.
“His run the other day wasn’t too bad,” Smith said.
“He was a little fresh but we’ve been able to have a trial and he’ll be a lot better for that.”
Hong Kongs’ thirteen times premiership winning jockey Douglas Whyte steered Scales Of Justice to victory last year and has returned to Perth to chase back to back wins in the Railway Sakes on the five year old.
Scales Of Justice has drawn barrier thirteen in the original draw but could move in three spots in the final sixteen horse field at start time if all the emergencies fail to gain a start.
Railway Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au has Scales Of Justice sharing the second line of betting with Black Heart Bart at $6.50 just behind the $6 favourite Tom Melbourne.
Smith is playing host to Darren Weir’s visiting Perth team and rates five times Group 1 winner Black Heart Bart as the one to beat in the Railway Stakes.
Black Heart Bart will have to carry the top weight of 59kg with Brad Rawillier in the saddle again and the seven year old has thrown off a niggling hoof problem that had plagued him throughout the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
