Talented three-year-olds Rommel and Disposition as well as last year’s winner Ihtsahymn were the big losers of the 2014 Kingston Town Classic barrier draw that was conducted last night.
Moriarty was one of the big winners of the 2014 Kingston Town Classic barrier draw. Photo by: Steve Hart
Rommel stamped himself as a leading contender for the Kingston Town Classic when he recorded an upset win over Disposition in the Group 2 Western Australian Guineas (1600m) at Ascot on November 22, but will need plenty of luck to replicate the WA Guineas/Kingston Town Classic double after he drew the outside barrier for the Group 1 event.
Disposition has his unbeaten winning streak ended by Rommel in the Western Australian Guineas and his chances of returning to winning form were decreased after he was allocated barrier 17.
Jockey William Pike elected to ride Disposition in the Kingston Town Classic rather than Railway Stakes winner Elite Belle and he will need to produce another stellar ride to record his first win in the race.
Ihtsahymn jumped from barrier two to win the Kingston Town Classic last year, but will jump from barrier 18 when he defends his title this weekend.
The Ihtiram gelding was the star performer of the 2013 Perth Summer Racing Carnival, but has failed to fire this preparation and will need to improve significantly on his tenth place finish in the Railway Stakes.
Injury-plagued Chester Road (barrier 15), Darren Mccauliffe-trained Rebelson (barrier 19), Respondent (barrier 14) and Railway Stakes runner-up Balmont Girl (barrier 16) are other horses that will need a bit of luck in the Kingston Town Classic after drawing wide gates.
One of the big winners of the 2014 Kingston Town Classic barrier draw was Chris Waller-trained Moriarty, who is set to receive a lovely run into the race after drawing barrier three.
Moriarty stormed home late to finish a close third behind Elite Belle and Balmont Girl in the Railway Stakes the Cloodvil gelding is sure to relish the step back-up to 1800 metres this weekend.
Mr Moet is still chasing a maiden win in the Kingston Town Classic after finishing second in 2012 and fifth in 2013 and will receive every chance from barrier five, while Group 1 winner Smokin’ Joey should be suited by barrier seven.
Railway Stakes winner Elite Belle drew barrier ten for the Group 1 event, which has been the most successful barrier in the recent history of the Kingston Town Classic, but will likely start from barrier seven following the removal of emergencies Strike The Stars (barrier four), Red Blast (barrier one) and Real Love (barrier two).
