Perfect Reflection (Aus) (More Than Ready) recorded her first Group 1 win in the G1 Kingston Town Classic a year ago and–bar a last of 15 finish in the G1 Australian Guineas in the autumn–has done little wrong since, and looks to defend her title in Saturday's renewal at Ascot in Perth. The 4-year-old mare made just two starts in the autumn, finishing third in Flemington's G3 Vanity S. prior to her Guineas flop, and was returned to her Perth base for a spring campaign. She kicked off with a third in the G3 Northerly S. Oct. 15 before taking the G2 Lee Steere S. over some rivals that are re-opposing here, and she was most recently a respectable third behind Scales of Justice (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) in the one-mile G1 Railway S. Nov. 19.
The lightly raced 4-year-old gelding Scales of Justice has to be one of the country's most progressive performers currently. Never worse than third in 13 outings, he won a benchmark 72 race here Oct. 29 followed by the G3 RJ Peters S. Nov. 12 and the Railway, where he led from gate to wire under a masterful Douglas Whyte ride. The bay's task will be made significantly more difficult by a wide draw in the outermost 16 stall on Saturday.
Kawi (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), a five-time Group 1 winner in his native New Zealand, has made a tame although not discouraging beginning to his Australian campaign this spring, finishing fourth in the Lee Steere and sixth in the Railway. He has won at Group 1 level over 2000 metres and thus should appreciate the added distance from a good draw. Trainer Chris Waller should never be ignored in these big events, and his Good Project (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) is one to consider at a bit of a price. Last year's Railway winner failed to find the winner's enclosure in Sydney and Melbourne in the ensuing year but was apparently a happy horse on his return to Ascot for this year's Railway, finishing second. He is drawn well in five.
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