The final Group 1 race of the calendar year headlines another quality nine-race program in the nation’s west on Saturday.
Western Empire will go around a clear favourite in Kingston Town Classic betting, but he is just one of the nine potential winners that I have unearthed below.
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Tourism WA Trophy (1000m) – 3:05pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 Revitup
There isn’t a lot of form to study ahead of the first on Kingston Town Classic Day, but Revitup has been excellent since debuting, and she can record another win.
The Demerit filly recorded an eye-catching win on debut here, and she went within a nose of winning the Crystal Slipper last time.
Fitter third-up, she needs only even luck to be in the finish again.
Better Your Bet Handicap (1200m) – 3:45pm AEDT
Tip: No. 8 Scandolo
Scandolo has been a strong and consistent performer this prep, and he strikes another winnable race on Kingston Town Classic Day.
The six-year-old gelding has missed placing only once at his last five trips to the races, winning twice, and he takes his place in this contest following a close-up second in the Regional Championship Final.
He’s rock-hard fit and retains the services of Willie Pike.
Amelia Park Handicap (1100m) – 4:25pm AEDT
Tip: No. 4 Written Matter
There is a case to be made for a few horses in this field, but I am going to stick with Written Matter.
Written Matter has made just four appearances at the races so far, but he could hardly have been more impressive, winning three times.
He resumed with an eye-catching effort to win by half a length here three weeks ago, and he will only improve for that effort.
Tour Edge Handicap (2200m) – 5:05pm AEDT
Tip: No. 4 Reliable Star
Reliable Star can return to winning form of Kingston Town Classic Day.
The Reliable Man mare recorded an impressive win over 1300m at Belmont when resuming, and while she hasn’t managed to salute at any of her three subsequent appearances, she has only just been denied at her last two.
She steps out on Saturday in peak order, looks to have conditions to suit, and Pike has options from the rails draw.
Group 3 A.J. Scahill Stakes (1400m) – 5:45pm AEDT
Tip: No. 5 Red Can Man
I’m going to give Red Can Man another chance in this AJ Scahill Stakes.
Red Can Man has returned plenty of high-quality performances throughout his career, and he announced himself to the greater Australian racing fraternity via an impressive win in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield in July.
He has had two starts since return to Perth, finishing fourth in the Colonel Reeves and seventh in the Winterbottom last week.
This is obviously a substantial drop in class from that contest and I like that he is on the quick back-up.
Listed Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic (1400m) – 6:25pm AEDT
Tip: No. 2 Flying Missile
This shapes as a reasonably open contest and there is a case to be made for a few, including Flying Missile.
Flying Missile didn’t show a lot in her first start back this time, but placed in a couple of Listed races second and third-up before recording a deserved win in the Listed Placid Ark Stakes last time out.
She steps out on Kingston Town Classic Day in peak order and with even luck, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
Listed Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m) – 7:05pm AEDT
Tip: Exacta #1/#2
Bam’s On Fire has claims on winning the Jungle Dawn Classic.
The Universal Ruler mare finished down the order in the Crawford Stakes and Asian Beau Stakes respectively when resuming, but I thought that there was a lot to like about her most-recent performance in the Jungle Mist Classic, in which she was just over a length behind the winner.
I think that getting back to 1400m this week suits, and Brad Parnham should be able to find a nice position in running from an inside barrier.
Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) – 7:45pm AEDT
Tip: No. 7 Western Empire
The final Group 1 race of the calendar year has drawn a talented field, but perhaps unsurprisingly, Western Empire has opened a very firm favourite.
Check out my full race preview and complete 2021 Kingston Town Classic Tips RIGHT HERE.
Crown Perth Handicap (1600m) – 8:20pm AEDT
Tip: No. 2 Expressionist
Expressionist can win the last on Kingston Town Classic Day.
The Pierro gelding stripped fitter for a couple of fair efforts upon transferring to the care of Adam Durrant, and he looked to be back to his best when saluted a fortnight ago.
He steps out this week in peak order and I’m confident that ‘Pikey in the Last’ can get up on Kingston Town Classic Day.
