AU - Ascot - Race 9

Thoroughbred

20 Runners

OPEN

Turf

GOOD 4

971.5K

VIEW

Verdict

A great edition of the G1 Railway Stakes and DEPTH OF CHARACTER (14) goes on top. He shapes similarly to last year's winner, coming through the Golden Eagle where he was unlucky not to finish closer. That form stands out in this field as he comes in on the minimum. Will need some luck from the draw, but shapes as a key player. OSIPENKO (6) is another who will need some luck from out wide, though his win in the Little Dance last start was fantastic. Rates highly on that performance and if he can run up to that level here, he'll be hard to hold out. WESTERN EMPIRE (1) carries top weight but was very good first-up when rattling home in quick time. History says he can't but he maps for a perfect run in transit and his best would see him go close. WATCH ME ROCK (12) comes through one of the key form races and Pike opting to ride him is a good push. Can land the knockout blow. DIAMOND SCENE (8) has been kept fresh for this and can be in this for a long way with his early speed.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
14	Most recently 4th of 16 at Randwick Golden Eagle on November 1 over 7 ½f, slow going 2.25 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 127lbs at $91. The race before that eased back early on 8th of 13 at Randwick in the G3 Silver Eagle on October 18 over 6 ½f, 4 len behind Linebacker carrying 127lbs at $31. Stablemate won off the same set up last year and he looks a major player. 1st Pick 14 Depth Of Character Jockey: Reece Jones Trainer: Annabel & Rob Archibald J: Reece Jones T: Annabel & Rob Archibald	184	-	-	-	13%
Analysis Most recently 4th of 16 at Randwick Golden Eagle on November 1 over 7 ½f, slow going 2.25 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 127lbs at $91. The race before that eased back early on 8th of 13 at Randwick in the G3 Silver Eagle on October 18 over 6 ½f, 4 len behind Linebacker carrying 127lbs at $31. Stablemate won off the same set up last year and he looks a major player.
6	Most recently favourite, came from midfield and won by a head at Randwick Little Dance November 4 over 1m in soft going defeating Hollywood Hero carrying 137lbs at $5. The start before that eased back early on 10th of 17 at Rosehill Alan Brown on October 11 over 7f, 4.5 len behind Headley Grange with 125lbs at $31. Bolted in to score the Little Dance and he rates highly on that effort. 2nd Pick 6 Osipenko Jockey: Tim Clark Trainer: Chris Waller J: Tim Clark T: Chris Waller	116	-	-	-	10%
Analysis Most recently favourite, came from midfield and won by a head at Randwick Little Dance November 4 over 1m in soft going defeating Hollywood Hero carrying 137lbs at $5. The start before that eased back early on 10th of 17 at Rosehill Alan Brown on October 11 over 7f, 4.5 len behind Headley Grange with 125lbs at $31. Bolted in to score the Little Dance and he rates highly on that effort.
1	Second run back. First-up after five months 5th of 11 at this track in the G2 Lee Steere on November 8 over 7f, 2.25 len behind Super Smink with 130lbs at $2.90. Previously second-up ran on from midfield and won by a head at Pinjarra Scarpside G3 Hyperion June 7 over 1m defeating Magnificent Andy carrying 130lbs at $3.50. Flew late fresh and looks primed for a big effort despite the weight. 3rd Pick 1 Western Empire Jockey: Billy Egan Trainer: Grant & Alana Williams J: Billy Egan T: Grant & Alana Williams	145	-	-	-	19%
Analysis Second run back. First-up after five months 5th of 11 at this track in the G2 Lee Steere on November 8 over 7f, 2.25 len behind Super Smink with 130lbs at $2.90. Previously second-up ran on from midfield and won by a head at Pinjarra Scarpside G3 Hyperion June 7 over 1m defeating Magnificent Andy carrying 130lbs at $3.50. Flew late fresh and looks primed for a big effort despite the weight.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Exercise Rider

A rider built much like a jockey but is employed for exercising and working out horses in the morning.

Handicap

A race where a handicapper has assigned weights to be carried by all runners on the basis of their past racing efforts.

Mare

A female horse of five years or more.