Smokin’ Joey’s Railway Stakes Odds Shorten

The 2014 Railway Stakes odds of Smokin’ Joey have shortened significantly in the last 24 hours and the enigmatic galloper has been a clear market mover in betting for the Group 1 event that will be held at Ascot on Saturday.

Smokin' Joey has been one of the best-backed runners in 2014 Railway Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Jenny Barnes

Smokin’ Joey has been one of the best-backed runners in 2014 Railway Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Jenny Barnes

Smokin’ Joey opened at a quote of $17 in Railway Stakes betting markets, but there has been plenty of support for the Group 1 winner following the barrier draw for the $1 million event and he is now into a price of $13.

The Encosta De Lago gelding started his 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with an eighth place finish in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 4 and he worked home strongly after missing the start in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 18.

Smokin’ Joey was asked to do plenty of work in the Group 3 Yellowglen Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on November 1, but was still able to work home fairly to finish seventh and he was far from disgraced when seventh behind Hucklebuck in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at the same venue on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The seven-year-old will be having his second straight start in the Railway Stakes after he finished at the tail of the field as favourite in the 2013 edition of the race and he is chasing his second win at Group 1 level following his upset win in The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville earlier this year.

Another galloper that continues to be well-backed in 2014 Railway Stakes betting markets is the resuming Chester Road, who opened at a quote of $51, but is now into $31 to record a maiden win at Group 1 level.

Chester Road has not been seen at the races since he finished a close second behind Mr Moet in the Group 2 Cox Stakes (2100m) at Ascot on December 22, but he impressed connections with a close third behind Western Blazer and Mr Moet in a barrier trial at Lark Hill on November 3.

Chester Road’s stablemate Mr Moet will also be returning from a stint in the spelling paddock and has received plenty of support in betting; with the 2012 Railway Stakes winner backed into $13 to record his second win in the Group 1 event.

There has been a sprinkling of support for Northerly Stakes winner Fuchsia Bandana ($17 into $15) and talented mare Platinum Rocker ($21 into $19), while The Cleaner remains favourite, but has been on the drift and is out to $4.60 with Ladbrokes Australia.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.