Railway Stakes

Winners and Past Results for the Railway Stakes.

One of the strongest and richest mile races hosted by Perth Racing for horses three years old and over is the Group 1 Railway Stakes.

The event is run under handicap conditions at Ascot Racecourse in Perth, with a million dollars at stake.

The Railway Stakes is held towards the end of November on Super Saturday along with the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes during the Festival of Perth. Horses that have had a good spring season in Melbourne and Sydney are also attracted to the million dollar race across on the west coast even though Perth 's hotter climate usually favours local contenders in form and with a good track record.

Horses are likely to tackle the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes prior to the Railway Stakes. The Group 3 RJ Peters Stakes is also a key warm up race that punters ought to use as a form guide. The most recent to win the Asian Beau/Railway Stakes double is Luckygray in 2011. Some horses may enter the field after a run in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes at Flemington or the Group 2 Crystal Mile held at Moonee Valley Racecourse in October. Runner up in 2011, He's Remarkable, finished third in the Crystal Mile prior to winning a handicap and the Railway Stakes. Sydney raider, Gathering, was unplaced in the Crystal Mile before winning the 2010 edition of the Railway Stakes. Top performers in the Railway Stakes may consider contesting in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic over an extended distance of 1800 metres a fortnight later. Most recently, Snipers Bullet achieved success in both events in 2009.

Some of the strongest milers have passed through the Railway Stakes on their way to greater success since its inception in 1887, which includes Better Loosen Up in 1990 and Northerly in 2000. It remained a principal race until 1979 when it was elevated to Group 1 with Asian Beau winning the first black type edition of the race. Horses have travelled a variety of distances over the years. However, it has remained a 1600 metre race since 1984.

One of the interesting points for punters to note is that top weights haven't had a good record in the Railway Stakes. Sniper's Bullet with 56.5 kg has carried the most weight as a winner. The race seems to favour four year olds with Luckygray being the 6th in the past decade to win in 2011.