And just like that, the Ascot Carnival has its final Group 1 feature event of the year with the running of the Kingston Town Classic.
The Punter’s Prince skips his way through the runner-by-runner guide of this famous $1,000,000 race.
#1 Regal Power
grant & alana williams
Stablemate of the odds-on favourite who avoided running in the Railway Stakes a fortnight ago.
Has the talent to win over this distance range as we saw his victory in the All-Star Mile and his runner-up finish in the Australia Cup back in 2020.
Had a nice trial between runs and looks the main threat to the favourite.
Odds: $5.5 the win and $1.35 the place.
Finishing position: Second
#2 Trap for Fools
lindsey smith
An old marvel who has failed to recapture his best career form of late.
He has since had a let-up after resuming in September and has three trials under his belt to get ready for this.
His best is good enough, but prefer to risk him.
Odds: $51 the win and $6 the place.
Finishing position: Ninth
#3 neufbosc
neville parnham
Not going as well compared to when he first arrived on West Australian shores last year.
Would need a big form reversal to win this.
Odds: $41 the win and $5.5 the place.
Finishing position: Eighth
#4 Too Close The Sun
Lindsey smith
There is always a nibble for him at each-way odds from the market in these big races.
He was beaten a long way by Western Empire in the Railway Stakes a fortnight ago and highly doubt anything changes here.
Wide barrier hurts his chances as well.
Odds: $51 the win and $10 the place.
Finishing position: Seventh
#5 platoon
neville parnham
Tailed out in the Railway Stakes.
Will be tailed out again here.
Odds: $91 the win and $12 the place.
Finishing position: Last
#6 Notorious One
chris & michael gangemi
Finished fourth in the Railway Stakes when no match for Western Empire.
He is in career best form, but the big query is going up to a distance he is yet to win at.
Will beat a fair few home and would not surprise if he sneaks into the top four again.
Odds: $21 the win and $3.10 the place
Finishing position: Fourth
#7 western empire
grant & alana williams
Grant and Alana Williams have unearthed another freak galloper owned by Bob Peters.
Western Empire’s win in the Railway Stakes stamped his authority as one of the best milers in the country.
He could very well be the All-Star Mile winner this far out.
Looks another sit and steer-type set-up for William Pike who will just bide his time in the rear half of the field and then launch his attack on the field as they corner for home.
This horse has blistering turn of sustained speed that makes him a nightmare for the opposition to deal with.
Odds: $1.40 the win and $1.06 the place
Finishing position: First
#8 dance music
simon miller
Another outsider who will likely struggle to keep up with Western Empire.
Won’t have to do as much work as she did from the wide barrier last start.
Rather than finishing seven lengths off Western Empire, she might finish six lengths off him.
Odds: $21 the win and $6 the place.
Finishing position: Sixth
#9 kissonallfourcheeks
daniel morton
Keeps rising to the occasion this campaign.
Was no match for Western Empire in the Railway Stakes and there is a query on her being strong over the concluding stages of this 1800-metre Group 1.
She is, however, tough as nail and will give her all in this event from a very handy barrier.
Odds: $12 the win and $3.8 the place.
Finishing position: Third
#10 searchin rocs
david harrison
One of the more intriguing runners in the field.
David Harrison has opted to have a throw at the stumps by accepting this three-year-old filly to run at Group 1 Weight-for-Age level.
It is a massive step up in grade and class to what she has been winning in as a juvenile horse, but she does has the winning form capable of making an impact here.
Only has to carry the 50kgs and will be up on the pace making her own luck.
Just not sure she has the stamina and strength in her frame yet to be beating a horse like Western Empire.
Odds: $10 the win and $2.15 the place.
Finishing position: Fifth
