Articles by Hayden King

Sports

Railway Stakes: eastern states raiders put under the microscope

The field for Saturday’s Group 1 $1.5 million Railway Stakes (1600m) has been confirmed with Grant and Alana Williams preparing $4 co-favourites Western Empire and Watch Me Rock at opposite ends of the weight scale as they brace for an interstate assault. Western Empire, reunited with successful Gold Rush partner Billy Egan, is the 58kg topweight, while William Pike’s choice, Watch Me Rock, is only one kilo off the minimum with 54kg. But three eastern states raiders have been thrown into the mix of this year’s Railway, with Iowna Merc ($17), Osipenko ($8) and Depth Of Character ($11) arriving by air on Monday night. So, who exactly are they? Bjorn Baker is no stranger to Ascot glory and he will bring Overpass back for a tilt at his third Winterbottom Stakes, however, he also presents Iowa Merc this week. The NSW galloper, who will carry 56.5kg, has only been tested over the mile journey once in his 29-start career, settling near last in this year’s Doncaster and failing to make any material inroads behind Stefi Magnetica. Prior to that run, he had sat second and grit out a narrow victory over Willaidow in the Ajax Stakes (1500m), his only other appearance beyond 1350m. Last start, he battled in the Russell Balding behind proven Group 1 performer Jimmysstar, weakening to be an 18-length last. Generally, he gets back to centre field or worse in his races, meaning a good barrier could be important for his prospects. Conversely, Osipenko is sure to get the trip, having won the January Cup (2000m) at Rosehill earlier this year before being extended out to as much as 2200m over the winter. Chris Waller’s gelding, who has received 55kg for the race, lugged 62kg a fortnight ago when scoring in the Little Dance (1600m) at Randwick. Travelling just worse than midfield, Osipenko raced three wide with cover before being produced down the home straight and getting up to beat Hollywood Hero and Anythink Goes. Although he has sparingly raced forward, all of the six-year-old’s form over the last year has been ridden cold and much nearer last than first. Annabel and Rob Archibald will follow the same recipe that proved so lucrative last year with Port Lockroy when they instead bring Depth Of Character for the 2025 edition. The four-year-old’s form reads similarly to Port Lockroy, who was beaten two lengths in both the Silver and Golden Eagle before his Railway win. Depth Of Character, who has a similar racing pattern to his invading contemporaries, was last on straightening and badly held up when a four-length eighth behind Linebacker in the Silver Eagle (1300m) before plugging home gamely when two lengths from unbeaten superstar Autumn Glow in the Golden Eagle (1500m). Port Lockroy carried 53kg last year but Depth Of Character’s 53.5kg is made more attractive when considering there were six horses on the minimum mark last year and only one (Storyville) this year.