The Group One weight-for-age grand final!
A top-class field, which will consist of six interstate/international raiders and 12 West Australian locals, will line up in the 2016 Peters Investments-Kingston Town Classic (1800m) on Saturday 3 December, the third and final day of The TABtouch Masters.
The last of three $1 million feature races in successive weeks is set to jump at 5:00pm (AWST) and is the eighth race on the nine-event program at Ascot Racecourse.
Let’s take a closer look at each individual runner:
1. GOOD PROJECT
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $11
Prepared by Chris Waller, the trainer of Winx, Good Project is an entire which seems to thrive in Western Australia. Arguably, his two best performances have come at Ascot Racecourse when winning the 2015 G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and then running second, a fortnight ago, in this year’s edition. The five-year-old looks set to run a nice race from barrier five and should settle right near the speed. An each way chance but he is unknown at the extended distance of 1800m.
2. IHTSAHYMN
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $51
The winner of the exact same race in 2013 as a three-year-old, Ihtsahymn comes into this year’s version of the Peters Investments-Kingston Town Classic as an outsider. He hasn’t returned to his best since winning the coveted Group One three years ago but he is a horse that can produce on his day. Trainer Fred Kersley would have targeted this race for him, especially considering that the gelding comes into this event without having raced since Sunday 23 October in the Listed Northam Cup (1600m). If the race is run at genuine tempo, He could finish off strongly for a top five finish at big odds.
3. STRATUM STAR
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $11
Drawn ideally in barrier one, Stratum Star comes into the Peters Investments-Kingston Town Classic with an unusual preparation. He had four runs in Melbourne before coming over and trialling twice at Lark Hill over 950m where he ran second on both occasions but hit the line strongly. Redkirk Warrior, the galloper which just beat Stratum Star at his most recent race start at Sandown, looks to be a very smart import so form lines may hold up. He will get the dream run and should be in the finish.
4. KAWI
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $7
Back to weight-for-age class - check. Kawi is a five-time Group One winner in New Zealand and, despite not having won either of his first two starts in the west, this race looks to suit perfectly for him. His most recent run in the Railway Stakes was fantastic, for sixth, when carrying top weight and arguably should have finished closer to the winner. The six-year-old should be finishing in the top three.
5. DISPOSITION
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $15
Somewhat forgotten by bookmakers, Disposition should not be starting the race at double figure odds. All three runs this preparation have been excellent, including his 11th of 16 a fortnight ago in the Railway Stakes when carried the second top weight of 56kg and ran the fastest last 600m of the race. He goes under the radar and is a genuine top three contender.
6. HE OR SHE
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $15
Placed three times at Group One level this preparation behind the likes Palentino, Black Heart Bart and Winx, He Or She comes into this race at big odds. Questions have to be asked though as this is will be his seventh race start in what has been an extended preparation. Considering his flat run in the Railway Stakes, he may have come to the end of his tether this preparation but doubt the Lindsay Park operation at your own peril. Others with better form which appear to have stronger chances.
7. DUBAI ESCAPADE
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $101
A real grinding stayer is Dubai Escapade which is heading towards the G2 Perth Cup (2400m). He is also only third up and won’t get warm until he has at least five runs for the preparation. Can’t win.
8. BASS STRAIT
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $41
Fourth up into the Kingston Town Classic looks like an ideal lead up for Bass Strait. His two most recent runs in the G3 RJ Peters Stakes (1500m) and Listed Carbine Club of WA Stakes (1400m) were both outstanding when running second on both occasions at big odds. He is obviously racing very well but whether he is up to this top level challenge is another question. To finish with some prizemoney will be the goal.
9. TRADESMAN
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $8.50
After having proven his ability at his last two starts in the G2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) and Railway Stakes, this is another step up in grade for Tradesman. Group One weight-for-age for the first time will be a very big ask for this talented gelding and there may be others in the race with more established claims.
10. SCALES OF JUSTICE
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $6
The reigning Railway Stakes winner steps up in company again to weight-for-age class to try and complete the West Australian Group One double for the first time since Sniper’s Bullet in 2009. He has a tough task ahead of him from barrier 16 though and will have to work very hard to find the front, unlike in the Railway when he got there without using much energy. Likely to lead but maybe be out of petrol tickets on straightening.
11. VANBRUGH
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $12
Another interstate raider from the Chris Waller camp, Vanbrugh comes into this race after having already run at the top weight-for age level in the G1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) and was not disgraced on that occasion when running sixth. He won impressively the start before that in the G3 Coongy Cup (2000m) and showed that he is back to his best. Two runs over 2000m leading into the race is a big advantage and has fitness on his side. Fantastic each-way value.
12. MACKINTOSH
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $8
After a gutsy run in the Railway Stakes for fourth, Mackintosh has to come into serious calculations, especially considering Damien Oliver stays on. He’ll be close to the speed again and won’t let the leader get too far out in front. First time at weight-for-age is a question that still needs to be answered though. Top eight contender but others preferred ahead of him.
13. HEART STARTER
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $21
For his first time at Group One level, the brother of Perth Cup heroine Real Love acquitted himself very well a fortnight ago in the Railway Stakes but still might be a preparation away from the very top level. Others will give you a better run for your money.
14. NEVERLAND
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $51
After needing to be scrubbed along for the majority of the race, Neverland never looked to travel in the run a fortnight ago in the Railway Stakes. She looks to either be racing dourer or potentially has had enough. Like Heart Starter, put your money on something else.
15. TICK TICK BLOOM
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $81
Tick Tick Bloom was nowhere near sharp enough for the 1600m of the G1 Railway Stakes last start. Out to 1800m here will help but is looking for the Perth Cup trip of 2400m on New Year’s Eve. Can’t win this.
16. PERFECT REFLECTION
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $4.40
The reigning Kingston Town Classic winner from last year broke all of the barriers when winning at Group One weight-for-age as a three-year-old filly. This is something that is unheard of in this day and age. Perfect Reflection is completely suited from gate two and looks to get the sweetest run possible. Her effort last start in the Railway Stakes was outstanding as was her win prior in the G2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m). Back to weight-for-age suits and she should be finishing top three.
SELECTIONS
4. KAWI
The five-time Group One winner ran on strongly in the Railway Stakes under the sufferance of top weight and looks to have acclimatised to Perth very nicely. Back to weight-for-age and the mighty Kiwi looks hard to beat.
5. DISPOSITION
Another one which is so much better off at weight-for-age level, Disposition ran the fastest last 600m in the Railway Stakes and meets many of his rivals on that day better at the weights, with the exception of Kawi. From a better barrier, he looks to position up closer and be there in the finish at good each-way odds.
16. PERFECT REFLECTION
She is the favourite for a reason. Perfect Reflection won this race last year as a filly and can repeat the dose here from the plum barrier of gate two. She will get a lovely run in the race and meets many of her rivals better at the weights compared to the Railway Stakes.
3. STRATUM STAR
Stratum Star settle on the fence behind the leader from barrier one should be near the front in the finish. He has Group One form in front of Disposition from last year and Melbourne and there shouldn’t be much between them.
Happy punting and GOOD LUCK!
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