A course proper gallop at Mornington on Saturday morning will be the last piece of work for Smokin’ Jory before he flies out to Perth to contest the Group 1 $1m Carlton Draught – Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on November 23.

Smokin' Joey is on track for the Railway Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Trainer Wez Hunter has found the secret with Smokin’ Joey who earned a trip to the west after two stunning performances over Melbourne Cup week.

Hunter took over the training of the six year old after he ran last of twelve in the Group 2 $220,000 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 5 when under the care of Caulfield trainer Mick Price.

The Mornington trainer then produced Smokin’ Joey at $41 to win the Group 3 $200,000 TAB.com.au Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Derby Day.

Smokin’ Joey then prompted his owners to pay the $22,000 late entry fee for the Railway Stakes after he put in another top performance to be beaten a head by Sydney sensation Boban in the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington seven days later.

Hunter said that Smokin’ Joey has recovered well from the Emirates Stakes second and is on track to fly out on Sunday.

“He’s better again now than he was last week,” Hunter told Racing Network.

“He just loves going to the beach and he keeps on improving all the time.”

“He’ll have a gallop on the grass here at Mornington tomorrow morning – they are so good to let us use the course proper for these gallops – and Jason  is coming down to ride him in that gallop.”

“He’ll then fly out on Sunday night to Perth for the Railway,” he said.

Jockey Jason Benbow was aboard Smokin’ Joey in the Emirates Stakes and will team up with the gelding at Ascot.

Smokin’ Joey has been installed the $7 favourite for the Railway Stakes ahead of Fire Up Fifi and Longport at $7.50 and Conservatorium and Platinum Rocker at $11.