Hopes of Western Australia's best racehorse, Marasco, winning his state's richest race dived on Tuesday when he drew gate 14 for Saturday's $1 million G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot.
In what has been labelled one of the best editions of the Railway Stakes in recent times, Marasco drifted out to $6.50 (TAB Sportsbet) after drawing three from the outside in the 16-horse field.
With 57.5kg, Marasco already faced a tough assignment prior to Tuesday's draw.
Only two topweights - Better Loosen Up (1989) and Modem (2004) - have won the race in the past 20 years and even famous stablemate Northerly, lumping 61kg, could not win in 2001 a month after winning his first Cox Plate.
"He has to re-write history to win with the weight and the barrier has made it even
harder," said part-owner Judith Kersley of Marasco's hopes of winning.
Horses from the eastern states dominate the market for the Railway. Of the 11 most fancied runners, only three are from WA.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Bank Robber grabbed favouritism at $4.50 after drawing ideally in gate two, which suits his front-running style, while second favourite was Mick Price's up-and-coming galloper Rightfully Yours, which will jump from barrier four.
Rightfully Yours booked a ticket to Perth with victory on the final day of Flemington's Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Western Australia's hopes rest with Marasco, boom galloper Gilded Venom ($8), which has the No.9 alley, and last-start winner Famous Roman, who was rated a $15 hope after drawing barrier 11.
Trainer Tracey Bartley was not overly confident despite his Stradbroke Handicap winner Sniper's Bullet faring well with gate five.
"They are all telling me it's the best Railway in years," Bartley said. "We will go forward from the draw, it is a hard race to win but he is well."
The David Hayes stable, searching for its first Group One win of the season, will saddle up veteran miler Niconero ($15) and Blamey Stakes winner The Fuzz ($21), whose main goal out west is the Perth Cup (2400m) on January 1.
Niconero is no stranger to Perth, having won the then Fruit N Veg Stakes (1800m) at Group One level in 2006.
"Niconero is a very happy horse," he said. "He is relaxed, which is the key to Niconero and he knows Ascot well."
Railway Stakes (1600m)
No. Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
1.Marasco (Fred Kersley) William Pike (14) 57.5
2.Niconero (David Hayes) Brad Rawiller (8) 56
3.Sniper's Bullet (Tracey Bartley) Michael Rodd (5) 55
4.Bank Robber (Gai Waterhouse) Blake Shinn (2) 54
5.The Fuzz (David Hayes) Brad Parnham (7) 52.5
6.Action Pak (Justine Erkelens) Shaun O'Donnell (15) 52
7.Annenkov (Peter Moody) Luke Nolen (1) 52
8.Beat The Storm (Ross Price) Lucas Camilleri (10) 52
9.Famous Roman (Ken Williamson) Jason Whiting (11) 52
10.Gilden Venom (Steve Wallace) Patrick Carbery (9) 52
11.Hartley's Dream (Peter Giadresco) Troy Turner (17) 52
12.Majestical (Matthew Enright) Wayne Hokai (6) 52
13.Pillar Of Hercules (Peter Moody) Glen Boss (12) 52
14.Rightfully Yours (Mick Price) Craig Newitt (4) 52
15.Tarzi (Neville Parnham) Steven Parnham (3) 52
16.Grand Nirvana (Fred Kersley) Peter Knuckey (13) 50
Emergencies
17.I Command (Jeremy Easthope) Jarrad Noske (16) 52