The Simon Miller trained Achernar Star is a top chance for the locals to claim victory in the 2019 Group 1 $1m Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.
Best Of Days, above, is one of two James Cummings trained runners in the 2019 Kingston Town Classic. Photo by Steve Hart.
Archernar Star was solid at the end of the 1600m when fourth to Regal Power in the Group 1 $1m Kirin Railway Stakes at Ascot in Perth on November 23 and the five year old is one of sixteen final acceptors making up the Kingston Town Classic field.
Achernar Star meets Regal Power 2kg better for being beaten one and a quarter lengths in the Railway Stakes and Miller is giving the five year old a good chance of running a strong race and do better that his effort two year’s ago when third to Pounamu.
“I’m looking forward to my horse going around,” Miller told Tabradio.
“He ran third in it two years ago and was really good and then last year he was awful, but he went there on flat tyres and had some really hard runs. He felt the effects of them.
“This year I have him going unbelievably good, but whether that equates to Saturday remains to be seen, but he finished off the Railway in good order.
“He wobbles around the corner and hits and flat spot, but gets going again.
“I’ve got him in the groove, so I can’t wait to see whether he is right there in the mix.
“You would say 1800m is 50-50 for him, but off what he did in the Railway the other day he is a chance.”
Paul Harvey finds himself back aboard Achernar Star replacing Damien Oliver who took the ride on Regal Power after the Railway Stakes winning jockey William Pike decided to stick with three year old filly Tuscan Queen who only has to carry 50kg under the weight for age conditions of the Kingston Town Classic.
“William has indicated that he wants to stay with the filly,” owner Bob Peters told RSN Central.
Peters and Pike combined to win last year’s Kingston Town Classic with Arcadia Queen and Perth’s biggest owner will have five runners in this year’s feature and as well as Tuscan Queen and Regal Power, his pink and white colours will also be aboard Star Exhibit (Peter Hall), Mississippi Delta (Chris Parnham) and Superstorm (Shaun McGruddy).
The barrier draw for the 2019 Kingston Town Classic will be conducted live on Sky Thoroughbred Central on Tuesday evening.
Final field for the 2019 Kingston Town Classic (1800m)
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2142×03790 | GAILO CHOP (FR) | Matthew Williams | John Allen | 59kg | 110 |
| 2 | 5122515027 | GATTING | Darren Mcauliffe | Ms Lucy Warwick | 59kg | 112 |
| 3 | 6770×64219 | TALLY | James Cummings | Martin Harley | 59kg | 110 |
| 4 | 7051145×18 | STAR EXHIBIT | Adam Durrant | Peter Hall | 59kg | 109 |
| 5 | 5Nx7380352 | BEST OF DAYS (GB) | James Cummings | Brad Rawiller | 59kg | 112 |
| 6 | 9x211x5244 | ACHERNAR STAR | Simon A Miller | Paul Harvey | 59kg | 107 |
| 7 | 51252×4431 | PACODALI (IRE) | Lindsey Smith | Dean Yendall | 59kg | 109 |
| 8 | 2321211×21 | REGAL POWER | Grant & Alana Williams | Damien Oliver | 58.5kg | 108 |
| 9 | 21412×2136 | THE VELVET KING | Darren Mcauliffe | Mitchell Pateman | 58.5kg | 102 |
| 10 | 05138×1123 | PLATOON | Neville Parnham | Brad Parnham | 58.5kg | 96 |
| 11 | x6121214x1 | MISSISSIPPI DELTA | Grant & Alana Williams | Chris Parnham | 57kg | 97 |
| 12 | 141×7336 | DIG DEEP | Daniel & Ben Pearce | Joseph Azzopardi | 52kg | 82 |
| 13 | 1x120x5129 | JERICHO MISSILE | David Harrison | Peter Knuckey | 52kg | 82 |
| 14 | 3215 | SUPERSTORM | Grant & Alana Williams | Shaun McGruddy | 52kg | 64 |
| 15 | 4112132 | KAY CEE | Neville Parnham | Steven Parnham | 50kg | 78 |
| 16 | 1121 | TUSCAN QUEEN | Grant & Alana Williams | William Pike | 50kg | 78 |
The post Achernar Star a chance for the locals in 2019 Kingston Town Classic field appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au.
