Perfect Reflection remains favourite for Kingston Town Classic after barrier draw

Last year’s winner Perfect Reflection remains the favourite after the barrier draw to score back to back wins in the Group 1 $1m Peters Investments-Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.

He Or She, above, has drawn poorly at barrier 14 in the Kingston Town Classic at Ascot. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

He Or She, above, has drawn poorly at barrier 14 in the Kingston Town Classic at Ascot. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Grant and Alana Williams trained Perfect Reflection sits at the top of the market order at $4.40 with Ladbrokes.com.au after drawing barrier two in the sixteen horse field and is racing in good form with a win and two third placings from three runs this preparation.

Perfect Reflection was beaten three quarters of a length first up when third in the Group 3 $150,000 Northerly Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on October 15 and was back in the winner’s stall at her next start with a victory in the Group 2 $250,000 Waroa-Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on November 5.

The More Than Ready mare then ran on from midfield to finished third behind Scales Of Justice and Good Project in the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot a fortnight later.

Premiership winning jockey William Pike will again be aboard Perfect Reflection in the Kingston Town Classic.

Railway Stakes winner Scales Of Justice was out of luck at the barrier draw, coming up with the outside gate in the sixteen horse field with Douglas Whyte returning from Hong Kong again to retain the ride on the $6 chance.

Good Project is one of three Chris Waller runners in Kingston Town Classic field and has drawn nicely at barrier five with Hugh Bowman in the saddle again and is marked at $11 with Ladbrokes.com.au.

Damien Oliver will stick with Railway Stakes fourth placegetter Mackintosh who has drawn just worse than midfield at barrier seven and is well fancied at $10.

Waller’s third runner Vanbrugh ($13) has drawn favourably at gate seven with Ben Melham to ride again.

Melham has been aboard Vanbrugh for his last two starts for a win in the Group 3 $150,000 Priceline Pharmacy Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on October 15 followed by a sixth to Awesome Rock in the Group 1 $2m Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 5.

Kiwi visitor Kawi is the second pick in the market order at $5 and Michael Walker will be able to give him the run of the race from barrier four.

New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock has given Kawi two runs in Perth in the lead up to the Kingston Town Classic for a fourth in the Steere Stakes followed by a sixth in the Railway Stakes.

The Lindsay Park trained He Or She with Chris Parnham to ride has drawn awkwardly at barrier fourteen and has drifted in the betting to be a $26 chance.

Early market order for the Kingston Town Classic at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.40 Perfect Reflection, $5 Kawi, $6 Scales Of Justice, $9 Tradesman, $10 Mackintosh, $11 Good Project, $13 Vanbrugh, Stratum Star, $17 Disposition, $26 He Or She, $31 Heart Starter, Neverland, Bass Strait, $41 Ihtsahymn, $81 Tick Tick Bloom, $101 Dubai Escapade.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.