Can Tradesman clinch the Railway Stakes for local father-son duo?
FATHER and son training team Robert and Todd Harvey will be aiming to secure their first group 1 victory this Saturday when they saddle up a runner in one of WA’s most prestigious events, the Group 1 Railway Stakes.
The Harvey boys will be represented in the $1,000,000 race by their lightly-raced gelding Tradesman, $8 with Crownbet.com.au, which goes into the event third up from a spell.
A winner of seven of his 13 overall starts, the son of Trade Fair won a Benchmark 72+ first up at Ascot last month before running a solid third in the Group 2 Waroa-Lee Steere Stakes over 1400m on November 5, beaten just three quarters of a length on the line.
Speaking to HorseBetting.com.au on Thursday, Todd Harvey said he is very happy with his charge’s form going into this Saturday’s race and expects him to perform well over the mile.
“We are really pleased with him – he is nearing his peak now,” Harvey said.
“He has sprinted well first up and second up, so I think he is looking for the mile now, which allows us to go into the race with a bit of confidence.
“He will definitely strip fitter from his last start and I thought it was quite a good run because it was his first real test against open company and at weight for age, he went very well.”
The five-year-old will be facing his biggest test to date this Saturday, but Harvey says he has a lot of factors working in his favour, including a suitable draw in barrier six and a light weight of 53kg.
“He has got a great barrier and I think he is suited by the mile; he is unbeaten over 1600m,” he said.
“He is a horse with a lot of upside and he has gone through his grades fairly well – now it’s time for him to step up and race against the horses of a bit better quality.
“With Scales Of Justice drawing just outside us and Kawi drawn inside us, he should be able to roll forward and I would expect him to be racing just off the speed.
“He gets in with a lovely weight too, it is the lightest weight he has carried in his life and he is a big, strong horse, so he will feel like he has a postage stamp on his back when he gets out there on Saturday.”
Being one of the state’s most prestigious titles, winning the Railway won’t be easy. Leading trainers Chris Waller, Darren Weir and David Hayes have ventured west for a crack at the prize, whilst prominent local husband and wife duo Grant and Alana Williams will have four contenders.
Team Williams’ classy mare Perfect Reflection is currently the $5.50 favourite, just ahead of Waller’s runner Mackintosh at $6.50.
While remaining cautiously optimistic of Tradesman’s chances, Harvey concedes he will have to be at his absolute best to score.
“It is probably the hardest race in Perth to win, so just to have a runner in it is very exciting.
“It won’t be easy. There is a strong interstate contingent coming over, but we will certainly be giving it our best shot.
“We are quite a tight-knit racing community over here, so a lot of people are supporting us and would love to see us win it.”
Run over 1600m at Ascot, the Railway Stakes is a handicap feature and is also one of the oldest on the Australian racing circuit, dating all the way back to 1897 when won by Nimrod.
Robert Harvey has come agonisingly close in the past, having trained Double Dignity, the runner-up in the 1992 edition of the feature behind Welcome Knight.
Despite training a handful of place-getters, a group 1 win has thus far eluded Robert. A former jockey who rode over 500 winners, he decided to retire early on his career after struggling with his weight.
At the age of 26 he applied for his trainer’s license, forging a successful career before merging to form a partnership with Todd three years ago.
Thirty-six-year-old Todd said it would be rewarding to finally land a win at the highest level for his dad, particularly because the duo have nurtured Tradesman right from the beginning.
“I would be overwhelmed if he were able to salute because I bought him as a yearling and we have had him since he was a baby.
“We’ve brought him along very carefully and tried to do everything right by the horse, so it would be very emotional if he did win.
“On top of that it would be special to be able to win the race with my dad. We work very closely together as a family and we are only a small stable so it would be a great thrill to be able to pull of the win.”
The Group 1 Railway Stakes is race eight at Ascot on Saturday and is set to jump at 8:00pm AEDT.
Group 1 Railway Stakes – market
1 – Kawi $17
2 – Disposition $12
3 – Porchinet $126
4 – He Or She $16
5 – Good Project $15
6 – Perfect Reflection $5.50
7 – Mackintosh $6.50
8 – Lite’n In My Veins $17
9 – Ragneese $7.50
10 – Balmont Girl $91
11 – Heart Starter $15
12 – Ideal Image $41
13 – Neverland $41
14 – Scales Of Justice $9
15 – Tick Tick Bloom $126
16 – Tradesman $8 at Crownbet.com.au
17 – Zarantz $71
18 – Great Shot $41
19 – Showy Chloe $91