Railway Stakes 2021: Key runner comments
Professional punter Cameron O’Brien runs the Key Race Insights service for Champion Bets. The below is just some of Cameron’s runner comments for this race. Key Race Insights members receive Cameron’s full report for every Group 1 and $1 million race in Australia. This is for those who want to win on the big races, and includes his historical race profile, speed map, full rated market and recommended bets. Check out Key Race Insights here.
WESTERN EMPIRE was dominant resuming in the Asian Beau. He camped on a hot pace, had acceleration to put three lengths on them by the 50m then was eased down the last 50m to win by two lengths. He rated 113 there but it was like a 115 effectively. Here, he maps ideally from a great draw and with Pike on he will get every possible chance. The strong pace suits him again (he did win the Derby over 2400m after all) and there’s no reason to think he won’t hold second-up. I can’t find any reasons to think he’ll get beaten, unless he just has an off day. If he does hold his form, he wins, clearly.
Winner of the G2 Western Australian Derby earlier this year, Western Empire (#Iffraaj) cruises to victory in the G3 Asian Beau Stakes at Ascot 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/GbinxKEEWG
— Darley in Europe (@DarleyEurope) October 30, 2021
KISSONALLFORCHEEKS is the logical danger to the favourite. She did what she had to winning the RJ Peters last start, rating below her best – but she was held up. She’s the winner of five of her last eight runs and I don’t think we’ve seen her top yet. I think she’s a 112 mare on the make and with the perfect map she gets the chance to do it here.
Tremendous finish to the Group 3 RJ Peters Stakes at Ascot, with Kissonallforcheeks getting the split right on the wire. A 4YO mare by @YulongInvestme1‘s Written Tycoon, Kissonallforcheeks was sold by @NewhavenPark to @MortonRacing for $120k at the 2019 Gold Coast @mmsnippets YS pic.twitter.com/EAJOQ7kkiY
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) November 13, 2021
THE VELVET KING has a big peak at his top and that’s what makes him a chance here, though he’d need the favourite to fail given the weight difference. He did a 114 winning the Belmont Sprint in the winter (over 1400m) and is a mile winner also. He was just fair resuming, but he does come to hand in a prep quickly.
Off the scene for 7 months, The Velvet King notches up his 4th stakes victory (8 wins overall & $900k in stakes) in the Group 3 Iron Jack Belmont Sprint. Bred & part-owned by @Impress_Racing, The Velvet King is among 9 stakes wnrs for @scenic_lodge’s Universal Ruler.@PerthRacing pic.twitter.com/oJZiW1Vfec
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) May 29, 2021
VALOUR ROAD has been good in all three runs back this prep, getting up close to his top last start at 110. He has a little more to give and is likely to be ready to peak now, however he does have an issue on the map from that gate. Racing well though.
Unfortunately (from a betting perspective anyway) it really is all about the favourite, WESTERN EMPIRE. He was outstanding resuming winning the Asian Beau, which is the key lead-up race for this. He rated 113 there and he did it comfortably, eased around one length in the last 50m, meaning he really did about a 115. That puts him well clear. If he does between his 113 and 115 he really just wins, and probably easily.
Pro-punter Cameron O'Brien knows how to find value winners at big prices. He's done it time and time again for his Key Bets members. They get all of Cameron's tips from right across Australia, including stake, recommended price and runner comments.
