Odds on Fred Kersley’s WA Guineas winner Ihtsahymn to win their maiden Group 1 on the weekend are set to firm after the three-year-old came up trumps with gate two in the Kingston Town Classic 2013 barrier draw.

Defending Kingston Town Classic champ Luckygray has drawn barrier seven for Saturday. Photo: Sarah Ebbett.

Barriers for the 11 hopefuls set to face off in Saturday’s $500,000 Group 1 TAB Touch Kingston Town Classic (1800m) were drawn by Perth Racing on Tuesday afternoon, Ihtiram gelding Ihtsahymn one of the big winners.

Last start the up-and-comer enjoyed their fourth career win from eight starts bagging the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) win despite having been blocked for a run.

It was an excellent effort, their second victory over the mile, and prompted Kersley to accept them for the Kingston Town Classic where they will see a Group 1 field and the 1800m for the first time.

They currently sit on the second line of Kingston Town Classic betting with a price sure to come in after their ideal barrier allocation.

Kingston Town Classic odds meanwhile are firmly led by Bradbury’s Luck six-year-old Luckygray.

Drawn in barrier seven for Saturday with regular rider Shaun O’Donnell staying on, the Trevor Andrews-trained grey is out to defend their title having won last year’s Kingston Town Classic from gate four third-up for the season.

Twelve months ago they came off a Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes win and then a Railway Stakes second.

This year they ran fourth in the Lee Steere but were the eye catching winner of the Group 1 Railway carrying a hefty 58kg under the handicap conditions.

The other single figure chance in the markets is then fellow Group 1 winner Mr Moet.

Adam Durrant’s Mosayter six-year-old, winner of last year’s Railway Stakes, has the far outside barrier to overcome in the Kingston Town Classic this year.

It’s a blow for the galloper who ran a brave second to Luckygray last year before going on to win the Group 2 CB Cox Stakes (2100m) and then run second over the 2400m for the Group 2 Perth Cup on New Year’s Day.

They will have to be at their best then to make it work from the wide draw, especially as they were beaten three lengths by the favourite when seventh in the Railway Stakes last start after a slow start.

Other notable Kingston Town Classic hopes and their barriers include the Neville Parnham-trained Playing God who won the race in 2010 and 2011 and who comes off a credible fifth in the Railway with improvement expected over more distance, and Grant Williams’ Canny Lad mare Elite Belle coming off a Listed Carbine Club of WA Stakes victory over 1400m from November 23.

See below for the full Kingston Town Classic 2013 barriers and jockeys.

Our number one recommended and trusted online bookmaker Ladbrokes.com.au are set to release their markets on the weekend’s Group 1 showdown shortly so make sure you’ve got an account open with them to get in on the action!

2013 Kingston Town Classic Barriers & Jockeys

Ascot Racecourse – 07/12/2013