Tasmanian’s favourite galloper The Cleaner will lead out the capacity field for 2014 Group 1 $1m Carlton Draught-Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.
The Cleaner will carry the top weight in the Railway Stakes at Ascot. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The Cleaner attracted a cult following during the Melbourne Spring Carnival with his front running displays which saw him collect a hat trick of Moonee Valley wins before leading the field into the home turn in the Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 25 before finishing ninth to Adelaide.
At his latest start The Cleaner ran a gallant third to Hucklebuck after setting the pace in the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 8.
The Cleaner was allocated the top weight of 58kgs for his Spring efforts but Tassie trainer Mick Burles still decided to make the trip to the west with his stable star.
“He’s pretty happy within himself and he’s eating well. I’m pretty keen on him,” Burles told TVN after he and The Cleaner settled into their new surroundings in Perth.
The final field for the Railway Stakes sees a capacity field of sixteen plus four emergencies with the Eastern state trained horses dominating the top order of the field.
While The Cleaner, with Steven Arnold on top, will carry the number one saddle cloth, the next three in order are the Chris Waller trained Moriarty with Nash Rawiller, Smokin’ Joey for Wez Hunter with Ben Melham to ride and the Queensland trained Alma’s Fury from the Tony Gollan stable with Michael Rodd taking the sit.
Of the locals Balmont Girl and Bass Strait will head into the Railway Stakes as last start winners.
The Paula Wagg trained Balmont Girl won the Group 3 $150,000 Auto Classic – Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on November 1 while Bass Strait beat Respondent in the Group 3 $150,000 R.J. Peters Stakes (1500m) at Ascot on November 15.
While Fuchsia Bandana, Platinum Rocker, Elite Belle, Ihtsahymn, Amorino and Ranger all finished behind Winterbottom Stakes fancy Magnifisio in the Group 2 $250,000 Waroa-Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on November 8.
Lark Hill trainer Adam Durant will saddle up three runners in the Railway Stakes and as well as Ranger, Mr Moet and Chester Road will be facing the tough 1600m Group 1 first up.
Mr Moet hasn’t raced since finishing sixth in last year’s Group 2 $250,000 LD Total – C.B. Cox Stakes (2100m) at Ascot but has been placed twice at recent Lark Hill barrier trials.
While seven year old Chester Road has been off the scene for two years following his second in the 2012 C.B. Cox Stakes and also been prepared with two Lark Hill barrier trials.
The barrier draw for the Carlton Draught-Railway Stakes will take place at Breakfast with the Stars on Tuesday morning at Ascot Racecourse.
The 2014 Railway Stakes Field
- The Cleaner, Steven Arnold.
- Moriarty, Nash Rawiller.
- Smokin’ Joey, Ben Melham.
- Alma’s Fury, Michael Rodd.
- Mr Moet, Paul Harvey.
- Ihtsahymn, Steven Parnham.
- Elite Belle, William Pike.
- Amorino, Shaun Meeres.
- Balmont Girl, Shaun O’Donnell.
- Bass Strait, Chris Parnham.
- Chester Road, Peter Hall.
- Fancy Feet, Ryan Hill.
- Fuchsia Bandana, Jarrad Noske.
- Platinum Rocker, Peter Knuckey.
- Ranger, Dom Tourneur.
- Respondent, Brad Parnham.
- Trading Day (1EM).
- Express Service (2EM).
- Miss Rose De lago, Jason Brown (3EM).
- Rebel Son (4EM).
