By Scott Bailey
The Perth Spring Carnival produces peak quality this Saturday as Ascot hosts the time-honoured Group 1 Railway Stakes, a race that continues to blend local strength with eastern-state firepower. The 1600-metre handicap has again drawn a deep and compelling field, featuring a mix of hardened elite performers and emerging talent searching for their breakthrough on the biggest West Australian stage.
All eyes, as they so often are in WA, turn to William Pike. “The Wizard” has made Ascot his kingdom, and this year his choice of Watch Me Rock over the more established Western Empire has been one of the more talked-about storylines. Pike’s decision reflects the modern Railway trend: light weights and tactical flexibility often trump raw ability at the mile, and he knows Ascot’s tight turns and sprint-home dynamics better than anyone.
Adding some local depth to this year’s running is the presence of jockey Fred Kersley, returning home to partner Storyville. The Kersley name is woven into WA racing history, and the Railway holds special significance for the family: it was in this race that his grandfather, the iconic Fred Kersley Sr, launched Northerly’s ascent to greatness in 2000. For Kersley Jr, this isn’t just a Group 1 opportunity — it’s a homecoming steeped in heritage.
The field both Pike and Kersley confront is layered with genuine winning form, headlined by Western Empire, who arrives off a resurgent campaign that has rekindled memories of his very best. Already this season he’s added the Gold Rush and Hyperion Stakes to his résumé, both times producing that trademark sustained burst from the back. His Hyperion win over Magnificent Andy and Triple Missile confirmed he remains a force at Ascot, and from barrier one he maps to stalk the speed and unleash late.
Magnificent Andy, one of WA’s most consistent weight-for-age performers, also comes into the Railway with a fresh victory after his commanding Golden Saddle win at Kalgoorlie. Earlier in the prep he chased bravely in the Belmont Sprint and then ran second to Western Empire in the Hyperion, stamping himself as a genuine danger again. His versatility — winning both on-speed and from off the pace makes him a major player.
Super Smink adds further depth to the locals, arriving off a confidence-boosting win in the Lee Steere Stakes. From barrier one she sat just behind the speed and sprinted clear, reaffirming her class at 1400m and her affinity for Ascot. This is a tougher assignment from a wider draw, but she’s back in the same form that saw her measure up to eastern-state rivals earlier in the year.
Her stablemate In Good Order also brings recent winning credentials, claiming last summer’s Group 2 Van Heemst before resuming with a strong second to Super Smink in the Lee Steere. His staying base ensures he’ll be one of the strongest late if the race becomes a genuine test, and barrier two gives him an ideal platform.
Eastern-states contender Osipenko turns up as a last-start winner, adding national intrigue. His Little Dance victory at Randwick under 62kg showed he still retains his powerful engine, and the drop to 55kg here is a luxury. He’ll be ridden cold from the wide draw, but if the tempo is solid, his late surge will be a factor.
Diamond Scene, another Peters Investments runner, is thriving this season. After strong staying efforts including a Perth Cup second, he dropped back to win the Eurythmic Stakes in style, beating Comfort Me and Watch Me Rock. His on-speed control and toughness make him one to respect from a good draw.
Watch Me Rock, Pike’s chosen mount, has blossomed into a genuine stakes horse over the past year. His wins in the Grandstand, Old Comrade and GF Stakes showcased grit and consistency, and his Asian Beau victory over this course and distance stamped him as a true mile contender. With the light weight and a perfect barrier, he shapes as a major threat.
Sentimental Hero and Ginger Baker bring strong country-cup form. Sentimental Hero enters in career-best order with dominant wins in the Boulder and Kalgoorlie Cups, while Ginger Baker brings the Coolgardie Cup and Autumn Cup to the table. Both are hard-fit, seasoned, and capable of shaping the race if they roll forward and make it a staying test.
Storyville is the rising mare of the field, coming off a sharp RJ Peters win where she boxed-seated and sprinted brilliantly. Lightly raced and still improving, she profiles beautifully with just 53kg and a turn of foot that can match the older geldings if she lands in the right spot.
Admiration Express rounds out the recent winners with her authoritative Strickland Stakes victory. Her ability to handle all conditions and her sharp turn of foot make her a legitimate knockout chance if the tempo turns the Railway into a true stamina-sprint blend.
This year’s Railway Stakes feels like a perfect storm of tradition, emerging talent and returning stars. Pike, chasing another chapter in his home-state dominance, partners a horse with the ideal weight-profile. Kersley Jr returns to honour a family legacy. Eastern raiders bring class, and the locals arrive in winning form.
