Horse Racing

After much anticipation the 2011 Kingston Town Classic barrier draw has taken place with early favourite Luckygray suffering a blow with the extreme outside gate 14 of 14.

Defending Kingston Town Classic winner Playing God has come up trumps with barrier five for Saturday

Out to become the fourth horse in history to claim the Railway Stakes – Kingston Town Classic double in the same season after winning the Railway on protest last start, Gino Poletti’s progressive four-year-old retained their favouritism but drifted out from $2.60 to $2.80 at Luxbet after their horror barrier allocation.

Not only does Luckygray have to go up from 53kg to 58.5kg and from 1600m to 1800m, but now they also have the ‘visitor’s draw’ to overcome on Saturday making the $500,000 Group 1 GR Engineering Kingston Town Classic an even tougher test.

After coming trumps with barrier three, second favourite Ranger has had their Luxbet quote slashed from $4.20 into $3.70.

One of four runners for trainer Grant Williams, recent Lee Steere Stakes winner Ranger, who ran fifth to Playing God in the Kingston Town last year, comes off a sixth in the Railway but is set to improve with the step up in distance and being suited to the weight-for-age conditions.

On the third line of Kingston Town Classic betting, WA Guineas hero King Saul, looking to emulate Playing God in winning the Guineas – Kingston Town double, has eased slightly at Luxbet out from $4.80 to $5 after drawing double digits with barrier 10.

Other top chances drawing wide include Williams’ consistent Redoute’s Choice mare Tranquility ($12 Luxbet) to be ridden by four-time Kingston Town Classic winning jockey Paul Harvey from barrier 11 and 2011 Perth Cup-bound Kincaple one wider in gate 12.

Despite the draw, Kincaple has been one of the recent market movers for the year’s final Aussie Group 1, Mark Reed’s provincial Cups king in from $12 to $9.50 at Luxbet.

Meanwhile, defending Kingston Town conqueror Playing God has enjoyed early luck as they seek back-to-back wins in the classic, the Neville Parnham-trained four-year-old to jump from barrier five with Steven Parnham aboard.

The favourable draw has seen Playing God firm in from $17 to 16 at Luxbet.

Twelve months ago Playing God won the Kingston Town from barrier eight, and this year it is $101 roughie Mega Steel drawn in eight.

See below for the official 2011 Kingston Town Classic Field & Barriers.

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2011 Kingston Town Classic Field & Barriers

Ascot Race 7 @ 4:00pm (Perth Time) – 03/12/2011