Railway Stakes
Railway Stakes
Group One Betting Guide
| Date: | November 23, 2024 |
| Location: | Ascot Racecourse, Perth |
| Prize Money: | $1,500,000 |
| Distance: | 1600m |
ASCOT in Perth hosts the Railway Stakes, one of the feature mile races on the Australian calendar. The Group 1 Railway Stakes is worth $1,500,000 and is Perth’s biggest race and punters get to see a good mix of local champions and the best from the east.
The most famous Railway Stakes victory was Northerly which won in 2000 and would later become a dual-Cox Plate and one-time Caulfield Cup champion.
One of the biggest myths is that Perth racing is at a lower class than that of Melbourne and Sydney, but we get to see some seriously talented horses in the Railway Stakes and many horses out of the Melbourne spring carnival stick on and compete at Ascot.
Betting for the Railway Stakes is open throughout the year at our recommended bookmakers and this year’s field looks one of the better fields we’ve ever seen. It is held in mid-November so conditions are slick and perfect for picking a winner.
2024 Railway Stakes betting odds
Betting markets for the 2024 Railway Stakes are currently unavailable.
Best Railway Stakes bookmakers
Australian online bookmakers show a lot of respect for the Group 1 Railway Stakes. Markets are opened very early due to the popular of the race and punters looking to get the best odds are never disappointed.
Between our listed betting sites, punters get a full fixed odds market and the best promotions in Australia. Odds are available now for one of the most exciting races in the summer.
Railway Stakes Bookmakers
Neds Code GETON
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Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING
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Bet365 Signup Code GETON
18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms.
18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms.
18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms.
Latest Railway Stakes News
Railway Stakes betting guide and tips
There has been only three favourites that have won in the last 12 years and that came in 2011 with local galloper Luckygray, Galaxy Star in 2018 and Western Empire in 2021.
Luckgray’s win in 2011 was also one of the most controversial decisions in Australasian racing history as New Zealand runner He’s Remarkable crossed the line first, but was deemed to interfere with Luckygray around the 1000m mark. That left many punters with a sour taste in their mouth, but punters who took Luckygray to win were not complaining.
Thankfully our bookmakers offer a protest payout deal where both winners get paid out.
Luckygray scored its second victory in 2013 and it was one of many double-figure odds chances to win the Railway Stakes. Sniper’s Bullet won at $16 in 2009 before Gathering won a year later at $11. Local runner Mr Moet was too good for Luckygray in 2012 and it won paying $20.
Eight of the last 12 Railway Stakes favourites have failed to place, which isn’t a good statistic for favourites punters, but the 2014 and 2015 winners both paid a good each way price of $5.
The best lead-up race to follow is the Lee Steere Stakes at Ascot two weeks prior. Seven winners have come out of the Lee Steere, but the increase in prize money to $1 million has meant punters need to follow the Melbourne spring carnival form as well.
Good Project won in 2015 and fellow eastern runner Messene finished in second. More and more eastern raiders will travel to Perth and the form stacks up nicely.
Remarkably jockey Willie Pike rattled off four successive Railway Stakes wins between 2018-2021.
2024 Railway Stakes Final Field
HorseBetting will update this page when the 2024 Railway Stakes field is released.
Previous Railway Stakes Fields
No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 
Tuvalu Lindsey Smith Jamie Kah 4 58kg 2 Marocchino Lou Luciani Chris Parnham 14 57kg 3 Comfort Me Rhys Radford Peter Knuckey 18 54kg 4 
Dom To Shoot Sean & Jake Casey Jordan Turner 12 54kg 5 Roots Chris Waller Tommy Berry 15 54kg 6 Trix Of The Trade Colin Webster Troy Turner 1 54kg 7 Alsephina Grant & Alana Williams William Pike 7 53kg 8 Bustler Neville Parnham Steven Parnham 2 53kg 9 Forgot You Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Daniel Moor 19 53kg 10 Karli’s Karma Summer Dickson Michael Poy 8 53kg 11 Last Of The Line Stephen Miller Brad Parnham 13 53kg 12 Massimo Chris & Michael Gangemi Clint Johnston-Porter 17 53kg 13 Mojo Rhythm Mitchell Pateman Holly Watson 6 53kg 14 Searchin’ Roc’s Jim Taylor Jason Brown 5 53kg 15 Startrade Daniel Morton Chris Nicoll 10 53kg 16 The Velvet Queen Darren McAuliffe Patrick Carbery 16 53kg 17 Casino Seventeen (1E)Grant & Alana WilliamsShaun McGruddy353kg18 Let’s Galahvant (2E)Daniel & Ben PearceTBC953kg19 River Rubicon (3E)Steve WolfeJoseph Azzopardi1153kgNo. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Resortman Michael Lane Brad Rawiller 1 57.5kg 2 Yonkers Chris Waller Paul Harvey 11 56.5kg 3 God Has Chosen Donna Riordan Clint Johnston-Porter 17 55.5kg 4 Kaptain Kaos Michael Grantham Lucy Warwick 3 55.5kg 5 Marocchino Lou Luciani Jason Whiting 13 55kg 6 Comfort Me Rhys Radford Peter Knuckey 19 53kg 7 Alaskan God Daniel Morton Chris Parnham 14 53kg 8 Buster Bash David Harrison Joseph Azzopardi 12 53kg 9 Ironclad Will Clarken Lachie Neindorf 7 53kg 10 Karli’s Karma Summer Dickson Shaun O’Donnell 9 53kg 11 Last Of The Line Stephen Miller Brad Parnham 18 53kg 12 Notorious One Chris & Michael Gangemi Laqdar Ramoly 10 53kg 13 Searchin’ Roc’s Jim Taylor Kyra Yuill 2 53kg 14 Startrade Daniel Morton Chris Nicoll 4 53kg 15 Treasured Star Adam Durrant William Pike 20 53kg 16 Trix Of The Trade Colin Webster Troy Turner 8 53kg 17 Winning Partner (1E)Tony & Calvin McEvoyBarend Vorster1553kg18 Let’s Galahvant (2E)Daniel & Ben PearceTBC653kg19 Devoted (3E)Michael GranthamTBC1653kg20 Chili Is Hot (4E)Graeme BallantyneTBC553kgNo. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Valour Road Simon Miller Brad Rawiller 17 58kg 2 Massimo Chris & Michael Gangemi Clint Johnston-Porter 11 57.5kg 3 The Velvet King Darren McAuliffe Kyra Yuill 9 56.5kg 4 Dance Music Simon Miller Brad Parnham 15 56kg 5 Too Close The Sun Lindsey Smith Joseph Azzopardi 2 55kg 6 Comfort Me Rhys Radford Peter Knuckey 16 53kg 7 Dig Deep Daniel & Ben Pearce Patrick Carbery 7 53kg 8 Kaptain Kaos Michael Grantham Lucy Warwick 10 53kg 9 Kay Cee Neville Parnham Steven Parnham 6 53kg 10 Kissonallforcheeks Daniel Morton Chris Parnham 1 53kg 11 Naughty By Nature Jason Miller Jordan Turner 12 53kg 12 Notorious One Chris & Michael Gangemi Shaun O’Donnell 4 53kg 13 Platoon Neville Parnham Jason Brown 14 53kg 14 Son Of Bacchus Rhys Radford Jason Whiting 8 53kg 15 Tellem We’re Comin Daniel Morton Troy Turner 13 53kg 16 Western Empire Grant & Alana Williams William Pike 3 53kg 17 Media Baron (1E)David HarrisonJade McNaught553kg
2023 Railway Stakes result
1st – Bustler (+800)
2nd – Alsephina (-125)
3rd – Dom To Shoot (+470)
Recent runnings of the Railway Stakes
- Neville Parnham finally won his maiden Group 1 Railway Stakes, with his four-year-old gelding Bustler ($9.00) taking out the 2023 edition ahead of Alsephina ($3.40) and Dom To Shoot ($23.00). With 27 winners out of the last 64 Railway Stakes being won by four-year-olds, Bustler has improved that record to 28, after he ran away from the field in the final 200m. After jumping from barrier two, Steven Parnham let the son of Playing God balance up and find a position behind the leaders off the rails. As expected, Marocchino ($21.00) and Massimo ($41.00) took up the lead with Comfort Me ($15.00) settling outside of them in the breeze and ran the race at a solid tempo. However, as the field turned the final time into the home straight, Parnham got onto the back of Comfort Me peeled off his back at the 300m mark to stake his claim. When Parnham went for his mount, he gave an almighty kick and took over at the 200m mark before continuing to race clear from the fast-finishing Alsephina and Dom To Shoot who flew down the outside to finish in the placings.
- Colin Webster became a Group 1 winning trainer at the age of 82 when his rising star Trix Of The Trade put close to two-lengths on his rivals in the Railway Stakes. Jumping as second favourite in the event, Troy Turner had him lobbed in a perfect position throughout the mile and when presented and asked for an effort at the top of the straight, he had the race sewn up with 200m to go where the celebrations started for Turner and connections.
- All eyes were on William Pike to make it four wins in a row and for Western Empire to claim the great Railway Stakes. Western Empire was the heaviest backed horse to date jumping at $1.60 and the punters were right to put all their eggs in one basket. The four-year-old gelding had the entire race go it’s way as sit with the top of the pack until the final turn, when Pikey asked him to give the slightest that was the end right there, sprinting away to win by just under 4 lengths.
- Despite Inspirational Girl being lightly raced, jockey Willie Pike gifted trainers’ Grant and Alana Williams their fourth Railway Stakes in 2020. The five-year-old mare defeated Too Close To The Sun by close to two lengths, with Uni Time finishing two lengths further back. It was owner Bob Peters fifth win in the Railway Stakes and one that put Inspirational Girl in the mix to feature prominently in the 2021 Spring. Inspirational Girl went on to run second in the Kingston Town Classic several weeks later.
- The Wizard of the West went back to back in the Railway Stakes when he steered home Regal Power in a dominant victory. After being one of the last horses into the home straight, Regal Power stormed home to get the better of Best Of Days and Plantoon in impressive fashion
- Galaxy Star came into the 2018 Railway Stakes as a red hot favourite and under a brilliant ride from William Pike the Bob Peters runner delivered a famous win. Coming into the straight on the fence and in sixth position, Pike steered the Star to the middle of the track and burst away to win ahead of Gatting and Material Man.
- Most of the attention was on whether Tom Melbourne could break its group one duck, but it was long shot Great Shot which scored its biggest win. The Rhys Radford-trained runner wasn’t fancied at $27.80, but it staved off a big challenge from quality runners Black Heart Bart and Tom Melbourne.
- One of Western Australia’s champion trainers Lindsey Smith saluted with Scales of Justice. With prominent Hong Kong jockey Douglas Whyte on board the gelding lead from start to finish in a commanding performance. Scales of Justice beat home the Chris Waller-trained Good Project ($4.60) and pre-race favourite Perfect Reflection. Read a full report.
- Good Project won by two lengths over fellow easterner Messene. The Chris Waller-trained horse was left alone in front and held a two-length margin to the line. The field was stacked with Perth’s best with the likes of Delicacy, Balmont Girl and Real Love. This win signified that the increase in prize money would result in many more eastern-trained horses competing.
- The classic combination of trainer Grant Williams and jockey William Pike linked up with Elite Belle. The stylish mare received a great ride from Pike in winning by just under a length. The then six-year-old carried only 53.5kg due to the likes of The Cleaner and Smokin’ Joey being in the field. It capitalised on that and produced one of the better wins in the race’s history.
- Luckygray made it two Railway Stakes wins with a come-from-behind victory. The flashy grey was slow away as usual and was produced five wide in the straight. Second placegetter Platinum Rocker looked the winner, but Luckygray demonstrated its class and won at double figure odds.
- Mr Moet was another Railway Stakes winner to use a light weight to its advantage. The Adam Durrant-trained gelding carried only 53.5kg in holding out a fast-finishing Luckygray which stormed home down the outside. The five-year-old was a $20 chance in the market and beating a field of 16 which included Playing God, Ranger and Wall Street among others was class personified.
- A rather shameful outcome for stewards, Luckygray was awarded the victory for interference caused by He’s Remarkable at the 1000m mark. The marginal interference was deemed enough to turn around the result, gifting Luckygray its first win in the Railway Stakes. It ran as the favourite and denied Roger James and He’s Remarkable a famous win for the Kiwis. It will long be remembered as one of the biggest blunders in horse racing.
Railway Stakes past winners list
| Railway Stakes Past Winners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2023 | Bustler | Neville Parnham | Steven Parnham |
| 2022 | Trix Of The Trade | Troy Turner | Colin Webster |
| 2021 | Western Empire | William Pike | Grant & Alana Williams |
| 2020 | Inspirational Girl | William Pike | Grant & Alana Williams |
| 2019 | Regal Power | William Pike | Grant & Alana Williams |
| 2018 | Galaxy Star | William Pike | Grant & Alana Williams |
| 2017 | Great Shot | Craig Staples | Rhys Radford |
| 2016 | Scales Of Justice | Douglas Whyte | Lindsey Smith |
| 2015 | Good Project | Craig Williams | Chris Waller |
| 2014 | Elite Belle | William Pike | Grant Williams |
| 2013 | LuckyGray | Shaun O’Donnell | Trevor Andrews |
| 2012 | Mr Moet | Daniel Staeck | Adam Durrant |
| 2011 | LuckyGray | Shaun O’Donnell | Gino Poletti |
| 2010 | Gathering | Craig Williams | John Thompson |
| 2009 | Sniper’s Bullet | Nash Rawiller | Tracey Bartley |
| 2008 | Glided Venom | Patrick Carbery | Steve Wallace |
| 2007 | El Presidente | Troy Turner | Bruce Watkins |
| 2006 | Belle Bizarre | Paul King | Rob Bynder |
| 2005 | Covertly | Lucas Camilleri | Stan Bates |
| 2004 | Modem | Paul Harvey | Trevor Andrews |
| 2003 | Hardrada | Jason Whiting | Lou Luciani |
| 2002 | Old Fashion | Stephen Miller | Vernon Brockman |
| 2001 | Old Comrade | Paul Harvey | Lindsey Smith |
| 2000 | Northerly | D Miller (Jnr) | Fred Kersley |
| Railway StakesPast Winners Pre 2000 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | ||
| 1999 | Slavonic | ||
| 1998 (Dec.) | Machine Gun Tom | ||
| 1998 (Jan.) | Wiloughby | ||
| 1996 | Bold Extreme | ||
| 1995 | Jacks Or Better | ||
| 1994 (Dec.) | Zapari | ||
| 1994 (Jan.) | Island Morn | ||
| 1992 | Welcome Knight | ||
| 1991 | M’Lady’s Jewel | ||
| 1990 | Medicine Kid | ||
| 1989 | Better Loosen Up | ||
| 1988 | Marwong | ||
| 1987 (Dec.) | Jungle Dawn | ||
| 1987 (Jan.) | Miss Muffet | ||
| 1985 | Valley Of Carome | ||
| 1984 | Eastern Temple | ||
| 1983 (Dec.) | Getting Closer | ||
| 1983 (Jan.) | Sanatate | ||
| 1981 | Iko | ||
| 1980 | Golden Heights | ||
| 1979 | Asian Beau | ||
| 1978 | Sarsha’s Choice | ||
| 1977 (Dec.) | Marjoleo | ||
| 1977 (Jan.) | Alpine Wind | ||
| 1975 | Detonator | ||
| 1974 | Cambana Lad | ||
| 1973 | Starlow | ||
| 1972 | Millefleurs | ||
| 1971 | Royal Spring | ||
| 1970 | Kilrickle | ||
| 1969 | Gold Casket | ||
| 1968 | La Trice | ||
| 1967 | Tudor Mark | ||
| 1966 | Tudor Mark | ||
| 1965 | Blue Spring | ||
| 1964 | Sweet Saga | ||
| 1963 | Yenton | ||
| 1962 | Royal Thrust | ||
| 1961 | Big Bob | ||
| 1960 | Westmaster | ||
| 1959 | Aquanita | ||
| 1958 | On Guard | ||
| 1957 | Young Filipino | ||
| 1956 | El Boom | ||
| 1955 | Cunderdin | ||
| 1954 | Maniana | ||
| 1953 | Earl James | ||
| 1952 | Aptofine | ||
| 1951 | Beau Temps | ||
| 1950 | Chieftain Warrior | ||
| 1949 | Tania | ||
| 1948 | Gold Patois | ||
| 1947 | Sorcery | ||
| 1946 | Thorium | ||
| 1945 | Falsetto | ||
| 1944 | Bobby Breen | ||
| 1943 | Beaufine | ||
| 1942 | Flame Lady | ||
| 1941 | Hinda | ||
| 1940 | Pretoria | ||
| 1939 | Winbyie | ||
| 1938 | Tetreen | ||
| 1937 | Temple Coyn | ||
| 1936 | Gay Gipsy | ||
| 1935 | Desert Hero | ||
| 1934 | Aclis | ||
| 1933 | Earl Cunje | ||
| 1932 | Jolly Fair | ||
| 1931 | Comprador | ||
| 1930 | Coette | ||
| 1929 | Hint | ||
| 1928 | Columban | ||
| 1927 | Jolly Odd | ||
| 1926 | Cunningman | ||
| 1925 | Eupator | ||
| 1924 | Borgia | ||
| 1923 | Jolly Handsome | ||
| 1922 | Sweet Doris | ||
| 1921 | Fair Intervener | ||
| 1920 (Dec.) | Bobaris | ||
| 1920 (Jan.) | Andronicus | ||
| 1918 | Acclivity | ||
| 1917 | Quiara | ||
| 1916 (Dec.) | Minever | ||
| 1916 (Jan.) | Simple Maid | ||
| 1914 (Dec.) | Lilveil | ||
| 1914 (Jan.) | Werenda | ||
| 1912 | Saturate | ||
| 1911 | Apple Charlotte | ||
| 1910 (Dec.) | Artesian | ||
| 1910 (Jan.) | Thigen Thu | ||
| 1908 | Lady Agnes | ||
| 1907 (Dec.) | Betsy Burke | ||
| 1907 (Jan.) | Man O’War | ||
| 1905 | Scorher | ||
| 1904 | Possum | ||
| 1903 (Dec.) | Display | ||
| 1903 (Jan.) | Meteorite | ||
| 1901 (Dec.) | Limber | ||
| 1901 (Jan.) | Australian | ||
| 1900 | First Mate | ||
| 1899 | Yatheroo | ||
| 1898 | Onslow | ||
| 1897 | Primrose | ||
| 1896 | Dryden | ||
| 1895 | Florrie | ||
| 1894 | Carbine | ||
| 1893 | Lockeville | ||
| 1892 | Lord Byron | ||
| 1891 | Will O’ The Wisp | ||
| 1890 | Wandering Willie | ||
| 1889 | Hermit | ||
| 1887 | Nimrod | ||