Trainer Trevor Andrews admits that Luckygray will need plenty of luck to win the 2013 Railway Stakes at Ascot tomorrow but believes that the gelding is as fit as he can have him heading into the Group 1 event.
Luckygray is considered an outsider in 2013 Railway Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Luckygray joined the stable of Andrews after his failed 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in Melbourne and has his first run for his new trainer when he finished fourth behind Conservatorium in the Group 2 Waroa-Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on November 9.
Andrews told Racing Ahead that he was satisfied with run of Luckygray and is confident he has taken some improvement out of the race but admits that the six-year-old may find it tough in the Railway Stakes tomorrow, from an outside gate with 58 kilos on his back.
“I thought that it was positive without being outstanding,” Andrews said.
“He came back from Melbourne and I just needed to find out where I was with him a bit and try to put a bit of weight on him.
“There wasn’t a lot of pace in the race and he got back and got behind Kincaple, which never really towed him into the race at all.
“He only got beaten a length and had a good blow so I think that he has improved fitness wise on that.
“He has drawn quiet ordinarily tomorrow and obviously with top-weight he is going to find it a bit tough.
“He is going to need a fair bit of luck from the barrier, he will be back, and hopefully something can bring him into the race.
“With the 58kg that is probably a bit of an ask but I am sure he will be getting home pretty solid and if they go hard up front it will suit him.”
Luckygray finished second behind Mr Moet in the 2012 edition of the Railway Stakes but was able to turn-the-tables on his rival in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) a fortnight later.
Andrews confirmed that he will give Luckygray the chance to join Playing Gold, Niconero, Old Comrade, Summer Beau and Family Of Man as the only horses to have won the Kingston Town Classic in multiple years and believes that the son of Bradbury’s Luck will be better suited by the return to weight-for-age conditions.
“Coming back from Melbourne, I thought that the Kingston Town was probably the ideal race for him,” Andrews said.
“Weight-for-age he is better suited and he meets the others a lot better.”
Luckygray won the 2011 Railway Stakes on protest from He’s Remarkable when stewards made the controversial decision to award the locally-trained galloper the race due to interference he suffered at the 600 metre mark.
