Former Perth hoop Damien Oliver chases his maiden Railway Stakes win this weekend back at Ascot Racecourse and rates his mount Mackintosh as a “great chance” in the Group 1 mile feature.
Damien Oliver will ride Mackintosh for the first time in Saturday’s 2016 Railway Stakes at Ascot Racecourse in Perth. Photo: Steve Hart.
The 44-year-old champion jockey originally rode in W.A. before his move east to Melbourne and this Saturday has his 15th ride in the $1 million Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m).
He has twice ridden a third placegetter in the Perth Summer Racing Carnival but hopes to pick up a winning trophy this year aboard the Chris Waller-trained Mackintosh.
His latest Railway Stakes appearance was on the now Darren Weir-trained Real Love last year when seventh.
The Railway Stakes will be Oliver’s first ride on the Pins four-year-old and the duo are drawn wide out in barrier 16.
A capacity Railway Stakes field is set to line up in the handicap clash and Mackintosh could come into barrier 13 if the three emergencies fail to gain a start.
The gelding has won six of his 11 career starts to date including the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) first-up at Rosehill this season.
He went on to run a competitive third to Hauraki at Randwick in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and fifth to Le Romain when only 1.4 lengths off the winner in Flemington’s Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) on Derby Day.
Oliver rated the run by Mackintosh that day on 53kg and the galloper only goes up a kilo to 54kg in the Railway Stakes weights.
“He ran really well off a wide run in the Cantala Stakes and he ran really well in the Epsom,” Oliver told Perth’s TAB Radio this week.
“He hasn’t been over raced during the spring which I think is always important coming to the Perth carnival.
“He looks a great chance – he’s well weighted, in good form and a nice ride to pick up.
“I’ll just watch what I do this week and do all the right things and be right to ride at 54 [kg] on Saturday.”
Saturday is Mackintosh’s fourth run over a mile and he is yet to post a win at 1600m with his winning form extending out to 2200m.
In the latest Railway Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au he pays $6 to hand Waller back-to-back victories after the success of Good Project 12 months ago.
Good Project is also back this year paying $14 to win again with Hugh Bowman aboard in barrier seven.
As for the main dangers in the line-up Oliver was wary of the Group 1 winning local mare Perfect Reflection ($5) in barrier two as well as Weir’s last start Group 3 Flemington winner Rageese ($7.50).
“I think it’s a very good race this year, obviously Perfect Reflection is a high-class mare and Rageese is in very good form while last year’s winner Good Project is in the race again,” he said.
To check out the full 2016 Railway Stakes field and odds head to Ladbrokes.com.au now – home of Odds Boost (T&Cs apply).
