James to decide on Railway appeal by Friday

A decision on whether to appeal the West Australian stewards’ 2011 Railway Stakes controversial verdict will be made by the connections of He’s Remarkable by Friday.

Trainer Roger James and owners Gerard Peterson, Rod Baulcomb and John Struthers are expected to meet on Thursday to discuss the matter.

The WA Racing Penalties Appeal Tribunal will hear the case if they decide to go ahead.

New evidence needs to be produced for the Kiwi connections to have a successful case.

It is believed they are looking into a few possible areas of law they can tackle.

Social media has generally been scathing of the stewards after they upheld a protest by the connections of Luckygray, second past the post.

He’s Remarkable was demoted to second after his jockey Kerrin McEvoy pleaded guilty to careless riding when shifting out and causing interference at the 600m.

Stewards deemed that the chain reaction caused by McEvoy’s actions cost Luckygray ground greater than the long neck margin at the end of the race.

An hour after the race, James asked stewards if there was an avenue to appeal the verdict and was given a negative answer.

Subsequent inquiries by James revealed he was given the wrong advice.

While He’s Remarkable is back in Cambridge spelling, Luckygray is heading towards Saturday’s $500,000 Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (WFA,1800m) at Ascot.

The Gino Poletti-trained galloper is $2.60 favourite with TABsportsbet ahead of Ranger $3.60 and three-year-old King Saul $4.40.

Trainer Trevor Andrew is very happy with recent WA Guineas winner King Saul.

“He was a little bit flat after the win (WA Guineas) for a day or so,” Andrews said.

“He did a good bit of work of Thursday and more on Saturday.

“He will have a good galloper on the grass on Tuesday.

“He obviously meets them well on weight-for-age scale and I am very happy with his progress.”

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