While there was some great racing, and eye catching fashions, it just wasn’t quite the perfect result.
To get that, after undefeated Barakey’s 11th straight win in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes, it needed Luckgray, the other great WA equine personality, to win the Railway Stakes (1600m) again.
‘Bradley’ did his best and was rattling home at the rate of knots. But the post was just too close by the time the grey flash had swept wide around the field, from the rear, to claim all but the winner Mr Moet.
For the second successive year Luckygray had been second past the post. However, unlike last year there was no protest to be upheld and so his chance of consecutive victories, thus emulating Tudor Mak (1966-7), disappeared.
Mr Moet was racing first up since July 7, when he was turned out after completing a hat trick of wins.
Like stablemate Chester Road (also a 1400m winner on Saturday) Mr Moet is a highly versatile galloper able to win over the shorter or longer journeys.
This pair will give Adam Durrant a great chance of claiming another Perth Cup (Group 2) to go with his 2010 victory with Lord Ransom. Kalgoorlie Cup winner Lopov is another chance for Durrant in the 2013 stayers classic.
Durrant, last season’s leading trainer, who has been ill in recent weeks with appendicitis and tonsillitis, had arguably his most memorable day at the races with a hat trick of wins, (Beach Express won the first race), culminating in his first Group 1 success in the Railway.
Imagine what he could have done if he hadn’t been crook!
But the young trainer still needs to watch his public relations. He has many critics on this score and while he was correct, at the Railway presentation, about having plenty of new (fair weather) friends after his Railway success such comments smack of arrogance.
As one seasoned racegoer said, “Gino (Poletti) and Colin (Webster) would never say anything like that at a trophy presentation.”
Trainers and jockeys are two of the most important ambassadors of racing. Only the horses are greater ambassadors and they don’t talk.
What they do is to attract people to racing. Team Luckgray were to be seen in many places on Saturday with people wearing LG caps and white and blue striped ties. This is great for racing.
So will the two great Railway contestants of 2012 do battle in the Kingston Town (1800m) on Saturday week?
Expect Mr Moet to be in it with bells on but Gino Poletti said although ‘Bradley’ had pulled up well he is no sure thing.
“We will make a decision this Friday (November 30) whether he runs in it.”
Poletti said that an 1800m race is about as far as the grey would like to go.
Last year he finished his preparation in the Kingston Town, finishing fifth behind Playing God.
If Luckygray starts in the KT it will be his third and last run this preparation. A Victorian autumn assault is being planned by the trainer.