The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest Railway Stakes 2023 betting markets for the WA feature in Perth this weekend.

The Perth Summer Racing Carnival features kick off on Saturday with a stellar edition of the Group 1 $1.5 million Furphy Railway Stakes (1600m) on the cards.

Heading the bumper Railway Stakes field, weights and markets after drawing a treat in gate four is Tuvalu to be ridden by Jamie Kah from the charmed barrier.

The consistent Kermadec six-year-old carries the 58kg top-weight and is at a current quote of $4.60 in Railway Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.

The gelding has his first start at the Ascot track but has a lovely mile record (9:3-3-2).

He brings over some excellent form lines from Melbourne including his Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) second to Alligator Blood on September 23.

Last start at The Valley on Cox Plate Day he carried 59kg to run only a quarter length third to Prowess in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m).

Tuvalu is fit and ready to fire in a winnable Group 1 now ticking plenty of boxes.

The danger occupying the second line of the markets at a close quote of $4.80 is Alsephina for powerhouse local father – daughter trainers Grant & Alana Williams.

They have prepared four of the past five Railway Stakes winners with Galaxy Star (2018), Regal Power (2019), Inspirational Girl (2020), and Western Empire (2021).

Grant Williams also won as a solo trainer with Elite Belle back in 2014 giving him a gun record in the mile classic.

Five-year-old Star Turn mare Alsephina drew a treat in gate seven for the ‘Wizard of the West’, Willie Pike, who retains the ride on the classy chestnut.

She comes off back-to-back seconds at the track in the Group 3 Asian Beau and RJ Peters Stakes with the mare carrying 59kg to a narrow defeat over 1500m last start.

Dropping back to just 53kg in the Group 1 she is fit third-up and ready to fire getting out over a mile now.

Alsephina is unbeaten over the distance with a flawless three-from-three 1600m record and is a genuine Ascot track specialist (8:6-2-0) ahead of Saturday’s showdown.

Despite the size of the field just one other runner is currently at single-figures with one-time favourite Roots out to $6 now.

The Chris Waller-trained Press Statement mare suffered an early blow drawing out wide with gate 15 for jockey Tommy Berry to overcome.

The bonny bay comes off a big 2.68 length romp home at Rosehill on November 11 when easily accounting for a field of fellow mares in the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m).

She was impressive there but is up in grade and distance now needing luck from the wide alley.

Other notable hopes at longer Railway Stakes odds include the Neville Parnham-trained Playing God four-year-old Bustler ($11) in gate two, Lou Luciani’s early market mover Marocchino ($31 into $16), Dom To Shoot ($17) coming off a Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes second, and Forgot You ($17) last seen winning a Listed Flemington event on Melbourne Cup Day.

The 2023 Railway Stakes is scheduled as Ascot Race 8 at 6:09pm (AWST) with full markets from Ladbrokes.com.au available by clicking here.

2023 Railway Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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