ASCOT WELCOMES PERTH'S OLDEST GROUP RACE: THE RAILWAY STAKES

The end of year is usually a galore time for horse racing spirits, and is always offering classics, going Down Under this time for the Railway Stakes.

Running on the beautiful and famous Ascot racecourse, the Railway Stakes is the oldest group one race in the city of Perth and never fails to draw the crowd. As the day draws near, with the jockeys and horses confirmed, it is that time when we do not just look forward to the entertainment of the race, but also consider a little flurry to add our adrenaline to the excitement and have a little skin in the game, and the Grand National betting guide has just what you need to get a grip of the race and more in its breakdown of the participants and odds.

A part of the Perth Racing Carnival held at the Ascot, the Railway Stakes is a 1600m handicap that is nothing to scoff about with a $1million prize money attached to the finish line. Starting out in Nimrod in 1887, the race distance was changed in 1926, 1972, and then to its current distance in 1984. The race draws attention from jockeys and trainers all over Australia, but the locals seem to have a good grip on what it takes to win and perform, and have traditionally done well. One of Australia's finest ever horses, Northerly, started collecting winner's medals at the Railway Stakes, before going on the amaze all over the country. Last year's race saw a thrilling finish, led by Regal Power.

This year, the horse will not be there to defend its title, but one of the runner ups, Platoon, will be back to improve its outing from last year. Two international horses make up the 20-horse lineup, Gailo Chop from France, and Inspirational Girl from New Zealand. Inspirational Girl is trained by Grant and Alena Williams, and jockeyed by William Pike, the same trainer/jockey team that won last year with Regal Power. Trainers Grant and Alena Williams have an impressive record here at Ascot, and always have to be ones to watch but their mare has odds of $3.40, and not really the most dangerous this year. The pair also have Truly Great, on $11 odds, jockeyed by Clint Johnston-Porter, so they could potentially be in for a double sweep. Thag is made less likely by the presence of James Cumming's Kementari, a 58kg (heaviest this year) blur that was impressive at the Group two Lee Steere stakes just a few weeks ago. Finishing just behind winner Kay Cee, the horse is the finest promise on $10 odds. Kay Cee just won the Lee Steere stakes and should be feeling good to claim another win on the gallop, especially knowing it has beaten Kementari before.

The Railway Stakes will be ran on the 21 of November 2020, and is just another stop on the busy calendar, one worth holding your breath for.