Top local mare Perfect Reflection has drawn perfectly at barrier two in the Group 1 $1m Peters Investments-Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.
Good Project, above, has drawn barrier 5 in the Kingston Town Classic at Ascot. Photo by Steve Hart.
Perfect Reflection won last year’s version of the weight for age Kingston Town Classic from barrier twelve and owner Bob Peters said that the More Than Ready mare is in great shape to make it back to back wins.
“We’re happy with her and weight-for-age does suit her now,” Peters told the West Australian.
“She won this one last year and hopefully can do it again.”
Regular rider William Pike takes the ride again after being on the Grant and Alana Williams trained mare in last year’s Kingston Town Classic win as well as all 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 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot a fortnight later.
Peters considers Kawi as the hardest to beat and the multiple Kiwi Group 1 winner has also drawn favourably at barrier four with Michael Walker in the saddle again.
“Obviously Kawi’s going to be hard to beat at weight-for-age,” Peters said.
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.
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 while Damien Oliver will stick with Railway Stakes fourth placegetter Mackintosh who has drawn just worse than midfield at barrier seven.
Waller’s third runner Vanbrugh has drawn favourably at gate seven with Ben Melham to ride again.
The Lindsay Park trained He Or She with Chris Parnham to ride has drawn awkwardly at barrier fourteen while the Darren Weir trained Stratum Star has drawn the rails with Damian Lane back in the saddle replacing Brad Rawiller.
Perfect Reflection sits at the top of the market order at $4.20 for the Kingston Town Classic at Ladbrokes.com.au with Kawi sharing the second line of betting at $5.50 with Scales Of Justice.
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