Gilded Venom to upstage Marasco

Despite the eastern states sending their best team over to the west for quite some time, it will be a Western Australian galloper that wins the state's richest race - the $1 million Railway Stakes.

And it will not be Marasco, which must defy 57.5kg and the history book, but rather up-and-coming star Gilded Venom, to be partnered by Patrick Carbery, which is shaping as the one to beat.

There has been nothing wrong with his two lead-up efforts. He won brilliantly first-up over 1400m then was beaten a short head in track record time last week over 1500m.

He drops three kilos on that run in the Peters Stakes and meets the winner (Famous Roman) two kilos better as well.

In Niconero and The Fuzz, trainer David Hayes has a pair of seasoned performers capable of delivering him his first Group One win of the season.

On the Perth Cup trail, The Fuzz needs a strongly run mile to come into the equation while Niconero is ideally suited by the distance.

A Group One winner over 1600m earlier this year, Niconero has also won at the highest level in Perth.

He put the writing on the wall last start when he finished sixth in the Emirates Stakes behind All Silent. Jockey Brad Rawiller said the veteran would have finished closer with a kinder draw, which he has received in the Railway.

Bank Robber is favourite ahead of the Mick Price-trained Rightfully Yours but there are enough question marks against that pair to warrant risking.

Bank Robber is at his best with the sting out of the track, conditions he will not face in Perth, and has been up for a long time while Rightfully Yours tackles elite company after racing in restricted grade, though admittedly winning in dominant fashion.

Peter Moody has lined up likely frontrunner Annenkov and the consistent Pillar Of Hercules. The latter drops four kilos from his run last Saturday when beaten by Famous Roman and Gilded Venom but must also make up two and a quarter lengths.

History is against Marasco. Only two top-weights have won this race in the past 20 years. Before Modem saluted in 2004 with 55kg, one had to go back to 1989 when Better Loosen Up announced his arrival as a star to find a No.1 saddlecloth prevailing.

Even the great Northerly was brought undone in 2000 when he lumped 61.5kg into 11th place a month after winning the Cox Plate.

But Marasco has won a Makybe Diva Stakes at 1600m so will be in the finish.

Meanwhile in Melbourne, Mission Critical can win the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown provided he finds his preferred firm going.

His dangers will come from in-form mare Bird Of Fire while Instructor and Who's Ya Daddy can also run strong races.

Railway Stakes
1.Gilded Venom, 2.Marasco, 3.Niconero, 4.Famous Roman

Eclipse Stakes
1.Mission Critical, 2.Bird Of Fire, 3.Instructor, 4.Who's Ya Daddy