The Pinnacles at Ascot kicks off this Saturday, headlined by the time honoured Railway Stakes (1600m).
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Railway Stakes.
2024 Railway Stakes Speed Map
I think the tempo will be genuine here. Likely leader is Comfort Me and Belclare comes across. Socks Nation can get back in the run but I think they may chance their arm and go forward to try and find a spot. Light Infantry Man maps perfect, as does Magnificent Andy.
2024 Railway Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Belclare: Best horse in the race hence why she is topweight, but the query has to be a genuine mile and what sort of work she has to do to cross. The two wins have seen her dominate from the front. Can she not lead and still win? I am saying no.
2. Buster: Bounced back to positive form in the Lee Steere, working home with purpose when second to Casino Seventeen. But, he has been hit and miss for some time so I can’t trust him into this.
3. Casino Seventeen: Casino Seventeen was a dynamic winner of the Lee Steere two weeks back, giving them a start and a beating under a 12/10 from Pike, slicing his way through the field late to score. The fast run mile should be ideal and Pike/Williams have a fab record in this race.
4. Democracy Manifest: Democracy Manifest has the awful gate to contend with, the injury concern, but provided is all sweet re the lameness, then he is the gamble here. Clear intent from Waller with this horse being his sole rep for The Pinnacles and his runs in Sydney this prep have been great. He’ll love a fast run mile, good cover, a drag into the race and launch late.
5. Light Infantry Man: Light Infantry Man is the one to beat with the form and map. He was a dominant winner at Flemington on Oaks Day, ridden a peach by J Mac and he was far too good for them. He maps perfect to stalk the speed and J Mac makes the trip from Hong Kong to steer.
6. Magnificent Andy: Six months ago I would have said he is just about top seed for the locals for this race. But while he has been racing in solid form this prep, he hasn’t been the horse he was 6-12 months ago and despite a kind map, I can’t entertain him.
7. Comfort Me: I think he’s more of a Gold Rush vs Railway horse. 1600m at this level is a bridge too far.
8. Let’s Galahvant: I reckon he’s on track for something, but it’s not here.
9. Searchin Rocs: I think she’s sneaky flying this girl. Wide no cover in the Lee Steere but battled away really well in defeat behind Casino Seventeen. She gets a big jockey upgrade, she maps much better and is proven at the track/distance.
10. Socks Nation: I can certainly entertain her at odds. She kept finding the line and was quite good in defeat in the Empire Rose behind Atishu. The draw, on paper, is tricky, but if they roll the dice and go forward, then she becomes a serious winning chance.
11. Mojo Rhythm: I say a lucky winner of the Peters last Saturday and the draw all but seals his fate.
12. Port Lockroy: I think he is a massive chance here. He has gone like a rocket this prep without winning and was very good in the Golden Eagle. You’d like to think there is petrol in the tank and on the minimum, CJP on, I think he’ll run a big race.
13. Super Smink: Great win in the Asian Beau but gee the gate is nasty. Can she give them a start and a beating? I am saying no so for mine, she is unders.
14. Triple Missile: Sneaky good return behind Super Smink in the Asian but just not sold on him at 1600m. Much prefer him at 1200m-1400m.
15. Trix Of The Trade: Previous winner of the race and was solid late in the piece in the Lee Steere but just not sure if he’s going as good as he was when winning the race previously.
16. Zipaway: Can easily make a case to say he should have won the Lee Steere with clear air. The trip to Melbourne could well have been the making of him and despite the wide gate, he has to be respected.
17. Yonga Lass (First Emergency): It’s a shame she’s not in the field but I do have to include her in the numbers because if she does get a start, I say she’s a serious winning chance. Enormous in defeat in the Peters last Saturday and will love a truly run mile. Good thing in the Carbine Club if she doesn’t run here.
18. Aztec Ruler (Second Emergency): Solid in the Peters last Saturday but is better suited in the Carbine Club.
19. Diamond Scene (Third Emergency): Let down with purpose to win the Luckygray but has eyes on the Perth Cup I dare say, not this.
20. Buckets Ridge (Fourth Emergency): Plain in the Luckygray and not up to these.
2024 Railway Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Democracy Manifest (Best Tote Win/Mid Tote Place)
Group l Strategy Outlay: $2900
Group l Strategy Return: $1547
2024 Railway Stakes Odds:
