East Meets West In Railway Stakes

As Group 1 racing in Australia heads to Western Australia, seven eastern state trained runners have flown across the country to tackle Saturday's $1 million Railway S. over 1600m. With five second placed finishes from six runs this campaign including a narrow last start runner-up in the G1 Cantala S. (1600m) behind stablemate Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) Nov. 4, the Chris Waller-trained Tom Melbourne (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) is arguably the most deserving of an elite level victory.

The question is, can he win? Based on his recent form, yes he can, but he always manages to find one slightly better on the day. On Saturday, that could come from the lightly weighted 4-year-old Variation (Aus) (War Chant). Victorious in the WA Guineas (1600m) on this day 12 months prior, the Stephen Miller-trained gelding settled back in the field early before charging home late to finish third over 1500m in the G3 R.J. Peters S. Nov. 18, highlighting that the extra trip as well as the drop in weight should play into his hands.

Top weight and multiple Group 1 winner Black Heart Bart (Aus) (Blackfriars {Aus}) who started his career in the west before heading to the Melbourne stable of Champion trainer Darren Weir, has surprisingly never been successful over the distance, but with three placed efforts over 1600m, as well as 14 top three performances from 20 starts at the track, jockey Brad Rawiller should be able to go forward from his gate and be in the firing line for a long way.

Last year's G1 Railway S. winner Scales Of Justice (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) is unbeaten at the track and distance, and although his campaign has recorded slightly indifferent results, he is back to where he has produced his best and if all goes right, jockey Douglas Whyte could go back to back in the feature race. Victory at his last two starts, both at black type level, Adam Durrant's Silverstream (Aus) (Al Maher {Aus}) comes into the race in top form, and although she needs to overcome barrier 20, jockey William Pike has elected to stay with the mare which is a big positive in the large field.

The formidable Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott training partnership has sent over last start G3 Chatham S. runner-up Supply And Demand (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}), and although his form is over a slightly longer trip which should see him more suited to the 1800m of the G1 Kingston Town Classic Dec. 9, a forward showing should be expected here. Campaigning without a spell since May, G1 Toorak H. runner-up Sovereign Nation (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) does enjoy pace up front that allows him to work home, and with a large field there should be a strong tempo in place that could see the David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained gelding charge late with only 53kgs on his back.