Prepared by WA’s leading trainer, to be ridden by one of Australia’s best jockeys and with a flawless second-up record, there is a lot to like about Real Love in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.
Real Love headlines Adam Durrant’s three-pronged attack and with the services of Perth-born jockey, Damien Oliver, the daughter of Desert King, in a field of 14 rivals, will start the $1 million feature from barrier 13.
The five-year-old, who won the Perth Cup (2400m) in January, has never been beaten second up and appears perfectly poised after an excellent lead in run when she won the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) last month.
“It was an outstanding run when you look at all the variables,” Durrant said on TABradio.
“To carry 58kg and finish the way she did shows what condition she is in.
“Her work was outstanding on Tuesday and they just don’t work any better.
“She has come through it well and I’m crossing my fingers we get to Saturday without any hiccups.”
Durrant, who reached the top tier of racing when he prepared Mr Moet to a stunning Railway Stakes win three years ago, said Real Love would overcome a wide draw.
“I think it’s where she needs to be drawn,” Durrant said.
“You don’t want to be cluttered and three deep with cover is going to be a perfect spot for her.
“I think it’s the ideal draw and Damien doesn’t need any instructions, he can work it out for himself.
“He is going to have the motor underneath him to make a move whenever he wants.
“She is going to be really strong through the line.”
Oliver, chasing his second Railway Stakes after guiding Island Morn for trainer, Lou Luciani in 1994, claimed the prized Real Love mount from William Pike.
Pike elected to ride Australian 3-Year-Filly of-the-Year, Delicacy, who has top billing in TAB markets.
The daughter of Al Maher, drawn in gate 15, is the $4.40 favourite, Real Love and Black Heart Bart share second pick at $5.
Tower Of Lonhro and Special Delivery are $26 and $31 respectively, but Durrant believes they are capable of causing an upset.
Special Delivery, in the hands of young rider, Joe Azzopardi, is on the hunt for a winning hat trick after taking out the York Cup (1500m) on November 8.
“He is very much a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” Durrant said.
“He has a very good turn of foot.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he ran well.”
Tower Of Lonhro, with big race rider, Peter Hall, in the saddle, will relish 53kg, 6kg less than his last start third to Hazzabeel when second-up in last Saturday’s Peters Stakes.
“His is unbeaten third up and has a terrific record over the mile,” Durrant said.
“He might just be outside the class edge, but it’s a very open Railway.”
Special Delivery will start from barrier four and Tower Of Lohnro in gate nine.
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