A perfect barrier draw for Material Man has given West Australian trainer Justin Warwick extra confidence going into the Group 1 $1m Magic Millions Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.
Damien Oliver will ride Trap For Fools, above, in the 2018 Kingston Town Classic at Ascot in Perth. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Material Man came up with barrier two in the in the Kingston Town Classic field that has been reduced to fourteen runners following the early scratching of his stablemate Elegant Blast.
Warwick was wishing for a gate in the low numbers and said that gate two will suit Material Man’s on pace racing style.
“It’s just vital when you go into these races,” Warwick told RWWA News desk.
“When you have a horse that jumps and makes his own luck you want to be in that first six or seven.
“It’s important that you don’t have to do too much work early.
“It makes the few days leading into the race very pleasant.”
Material Man was undefeated from three runs at Belmont during the Winter months and returned from a spell for a top shelf first up third behind Galaxy Star and Gatting in the Group 1 $1m Kirin Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on November 24.
Warwick said that Material Man has come through his tough first up run in good shape and will be at his top for the weight for age Kingston Town Classic.
“It was a tough run first-up,” Warwick said.
“It was like world record speed the first 1200m.
“He pulled up surprisingly well and is a tough little fella.
“He has done well since and will be as good as he is for Saturday.”
Warwick’s daughter Lucky Warwick has been aboard Material Man for the majority of his twenty-four race starts and will be on board again in the Kingston Town Classic after partnering the seven year old in the Railway Stakes.
Material Man is one of only four runners under the $10 mark for the Kingston Town Classic at $8 with Ladbrokes.com.au who have the three year old filly Arcadia Queen listed as the short priced $2.30 favourite.
Arcadia Queen’s Grant and Alana Williams trained stablemate Galaxy Star is on the second line of betting at $4.80 while the Mackinnon Stakes winner Trap For Fools is the only other runner under double figures at $7.50.
Perth’s leading jockey William Pike will be able to give Arcadia Queen a lovely run from barrier six while Chris Parnham will be looking for some early favourites with Galaxy Star to jump from gate thirteen.
Damien Oliver takes the ride on Trap For Fools who has drawn out wide at barrier ten.
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