This week we’re going bicoastal for our feature race actions, with the Group 1 Railway stakes meeting kicking off Western Australia’s ‘The Pinnacles’ Carnival as well as the Gong Meeting taking place at Kembla Grange.
As always, Racing X panellist Luke Dittman is revved up for his Contender vs. Pretender.
CONTENDER V PRETENDER – GR.1 RAILWAY STAKES, ASCOT
Contender: Light Infantry Man – Ciaron Maher is targeting a Group 1, James McDonald is making a flying visit from Hong Kong, plus this horse won the Manifold last start where he carried weight and still managed to give them a touch-up, all signs point towards a fill-up!
Pretender: Zipaway – A local horse whose runs last prep in Melbourne were super around some good horses. Unfortunately, he draws barrier 12 here, and he has the speed to put himself into trouble. He was held up at the top of the straight last start, but when he got clear he never exploded and I believe he would need to find a length to win a race like this.
CONTENDER V PRETENDER – GR.3 THE GONG, KEMBLA GRANGE
Contender: Gringotts – You can’t knock this horse’s form. His win last start was impressive, especially with the wide draw. He is a horse that can jump and go forward or is capable of taking a sit and running on if they want. I think some punters might be scared of the draw, but I’m certainly not!
Pretender: Waterford – Was poor and never showed us anything in the Little Dance, albeit he carried the heavyweight of 62 kg. Draws a good gate here today, but his racing pattern suggests he’ll settle back. He’s never won at the mile, and I don’t see that changing on Saturday with the likes of Gringotts, Territory Express, and Steparty in this race.
