Connections of star Western Australian galloper Scales Of Justice are hopeful he will he fit to run in the Kingston Town Classic in three weeks after missing a run in Saturday’s Group 1 $1m Kirin Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot in Perth because of injury.
Peaceful State, above, is one of two Darren Weir trained runners in the 2018 Railway Stakes at Ascot in Perth. Photo by Jenny Barnes.
Scales Of Justice was a non-acceptor when the final field of fifteen was released for the Railway Stakes after the Lindsey Smith trained galloper was suffering from bruising to his off-side front hoof.
Managing owner Chris Wells said that Scales Of Justice had succumbed to the same injury previously but he was hopeful the six year old would be fit to take his place in the Group 1 $1m Magic Millions Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot in Perth on December 8.
“It was disappointing,” Wells told The West Australian.
“He’s had the same problem before so he’s a bit susceptible to it.
“Quite often it will turn into an abscess, but on this occasion it hasn’t. Hopefully he’ll start in the 1800 and we’ll see how we go.
“It’s just a shame to miss the race because it’s such a great race and it’s a great stepping stone to the race I thought he had a better chance of winning.”
Scales Of Justice was the winner of the 2016 Railway Stakes before running second in the Kingston Town Classic and then finished down the track twelve months later when twelfth in the 2017 Railway Stakes.
The locally trained Galaxy Star has been installed as the $3.60 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Railway Stakes with Perth’s leading jockey William Pike in the saddle while the Darren Weir trained pair of Peaceful State at $5.50 and Iconoclasm at $7.50 are the next two in the betting.
Craig Williams will ride Iconoclasm while apprentice Ben Allen retains the ride of Peaceful State.
Betting for the 2018 Railway Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.60 Galaxy Star, $5.50 Peaceful State, $7.50 Iconoclasm, $11 Action, $12 Prized Icon, Mister Sea Wolf, $13 Man Booker, $15 Gatting, Achernar Star, Material Man, $17 Great Shot, $51 Perfect Jewel, $101 Disposition Star Exhibit, Wrinkly.
