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Historical Analysis of the Kingston Town Classic

KINGSTON TOWN CLASSIC - G1 1800m

This WFA contest over 1800m has been won by some classic horses and was a regular western jaunt for leading Spring contenders in the 70s and 80s.

Family of Man, Mighty Kingdom, Bounty Hawk, Vo Rogue, Better Loosen Up and the King himself won this at certain times. Last year had a bit of controversy too. Let’s try and pin point a winner.

PROFILING THE RACE

o Barriers haven’t played that big a role when considering this race.

o Mares have only won 3 times in 37 years but a filly saluted in 2015.

o 8 x 3yos have won the last 31 Classics. 8 of the 11 before that were won by 3yos. A remarkable transformation but they did win in 2013/15.

o Playing God became the 5th horse to win two Classics - others being Niconero, Family of Man, Summer Beau and Old Comrade.

o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner - 3/6yo (3 times)

o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $8

o Breakdown of winners - 8 geldings, 1 entire & 1 filly.

o Races that the winner ran in prior - Railway Stks (6), WA Guineas (1), Aquanita Stks (1), WA Championship (1), Sandown Stks (1).

RECENT WINNERS

2017 - POUNAMU 6g (Authorized x Tangiwai) ($21)

Jockey: Patrick Carbery, Trainer: Alan Mathews

Barrier: 8, Weight: 59.0kg, Gross Time: 1:49.50

Margin: 0.5L, Track: Good (4), Starters: 13

2nd: Material Man (59.0kg), 3rd: Achernar Star (52.0kg)

Review: Much like the Railway, this was another roughies race. Besides Winx, the depth of WFA form around the country was not of the highest standard. Some of those that had been ‘Winxed’ through the year looked like they had come to the end of it in this race and they were the favourites.

There was decent pace on but not mad in front. Pounamu was a 13 start maiden in NSW before heading to Perth 18 months back. He was now a WFA G1 winner. His Asian Beau win was good and so was the Railway effort.

Sitting back near last he swept around them and simply fought too hard out wide. The leaders caved and the grey was too strong.

2016 - STRATUM STAR 5h (Stratum x Purely Spectacular) ($10)

Jockey: Damian Lane, Trainer: Darren Weir

Barrier: 1, Weight: 59.0kg, Gross Time: 1:49.49

Margin: 0.1L, Track: Good (4), Starters: 15

2nd: Scales Of Justice (58.5kg), 3rd: Perfect Reflection (56.5kg)

Review: Controversy abounded in the 2016 edition. It was very much a race for those near the speed. Having won the Railway, Douglas Whyte was on a high and he put Scales Of Justice straight on the speed again.

Stratum Star sat behind the leader off his inside draw and the defending champ Perfect Reflection three back the fence. Just as Whyte went for home, it let SS out and they singled out. But for whatever reason it appeared Whyte eased his riding at the 20m mark only to go again on the line. It was only a nose on the post.

Whether it cost the margin is up for debate but something looked awry. All of this overshadowed Damian Lane winning his G1 and Darren Weir winning a major in Perth meaning at the time Sydney was the only place he’d not won a race.

2015 - PERFECT REFLECTION 3f (More Than Ready x Reflected Image) ($4.50 fav)

Jockey: William Pike, Trainer: Grant Williams

Barrier: 12, Weight: 50.0kg, Gross Time: 1:53.78

Margin: 0.1L, Track: Heavy (8), Starters: 16

2nd: Delicacy (56.5kg), 3rd: Dark Musket (58.5kg)

Review: Well this was a tremendous performance on a wet track. A filly had never won this race and while the owner Bob Peters was hesitant to run her, he said he had no choice as the Guineas came up too quickly after her WA Championship Stakes win.

He had a plethora of good hopes in the race but who knew what would occur on the damp surface. They raced wide and peeled wider and Pike had her hitting the front shortly after straightening maybe getting there too soon.

The stablemate and top mare Delicacy followed her everywhere they went. They were nose for nose up the running and the mare was closest on the line but the younger girl remained unbeaten.