Racenet – 23 Nov 2013
There was far less controversy about Luckygray’s second Group I Railway Stakes (1600m) win at Saturday’s Ascot meeting.
Luckygray was second past the post behind He’s Remarkable in the 2011 edition of the Railway Stakes before RWWA stewards awarded him the race in one of the more controversial protest decisions of the last decade.
Gino Poletti prepared Luckygray two years ago but the gelding joined the Trevor Andrews stable after a failed stint in Melbourne with Caulfield trainer Robert Smerdon in the spring.
Luckygray finished fourth in the Group II Lee Steere Stakes at his first run for Andrews before the son of Bradbury’s Luck produced a stunning burst to post his third Group I win.
Jockey Shaun O’Donnell reunited with Luckygray in the Lee Steere Stakes and the experienced hoop gave his mount time to settle towards the tail of the field from barrier 13 while Platinum Rocker worked forward to challenge Longport for the lead from barrier 15.
The Robert Heathcote-trained Fire Up Fifi pushed forward to race on the pace when caught wide without cover at the 1000 metres with the mares leading the field into the straight.
Fire Up Fifi and Platinum Rocker defied all challenges before Luckygray overpowered the pair late to score by a half-length to give Andrews his second Railway Stakes win after claiming the race with Modem in 2004.
“I’ve had him about six weeks since he came back from Melbourne but I’ve just been really happy with the horse,” Andrews told Sky Racing World.
“I’ve had to get him back from Melbourne and recharge the batteries and press forward.
“He (O’Donnell) just had to be patient from the gate and the 58(kg) was a big concern to me but I’m just over the moon and really pleased.
“He’s a get-back and relax horse that always finds the line. He’s a very genuine horse.”
Platinum Rocker narrowly edged Fire Up Fifi out of second while Kerrific and Playing God finished fourth and fifth respectively.
The $4 favourite Smokin’ Joey was never a factor before dropping out to finish last of the 15 starters.
The market: Smokin’ Joey was well backed on track, firming from $5.50 into $4 while Luckygray firmed from $21 into $19 before easing back out to $20. Platinum Rocker firmed from $21 into $18 before drifting back to her opening quote while Fire Up Fifi firmed from $10 into $9. Longport eased from $4.80 to $5, Plucky Belle firmed from $7.50 to $6.50 while Mutual Trust was specked from $13 into $12.