Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald became the first trainers based outside of Western Australia to land the Railway Stakes (G1) at 1600 meters (about one mile) since the Lindsey Smith-trained Scales Of Justice (Not A Single Doubt) in 2016 when Port Lockroy (Better Than Ready) stormed home to take the feature group 1 event at Ascot Nov. 24.
With interstate raiders holding a poor record in the AU$1.5 million contest, and Port Lockroy having yet to record a win in stakes company, the 4-year-old son of Better Than Ready (More Than Ready) was sent off a $9 chance under Clint Johnston-Porter, despite having run a very eye-catching sixth in the Golden Eagle just three weeks earlier.
Having sat handy under Johnston-Porter throughout the first 1000 meters of the Railway, Port Lockroy ranged up to leaders Belclare and Socks Nation rounding the home bend and, having taken up the lead inside the final 200 meters, ran on well to always hold the fast-finishing Comfort Me and Super Smink, who were split for second and third in a photo-finish, by 3/4 lengths.
"I'm so excited for the owners of the horse, he's been so unlucky almost his whole career, through barriers or whatever it may be," a delighted Archibald said.
"It's a huge thrill. I'm so lucky to be in this position and Annabel (Neasham) has always had so much faith in this horse and it was nice to see a really good ride and him deliver on a big stage."
Having caught the eye when working home well late in the 1500-meter (about 7 1/2-furlong) Golden Eagle Nov. 2, Port Lockroy seemed to enjoy the step back up to a mile Saturday.
"We said to the jockey just try to begin well because he's a casual customer and he can get a bit back in his races and fly home," Archibald said.
"He just couldn't have been any better, he pushed forward, got outside the leader and relaxed beautifully. CJ couldn't have done any more—it was a super ride."
Saturday's group 1 success was a first for local jockey Johnston-Porter, who was naturally delighted with the end result of a confident ride.
"In the first 200 meters of the race, I thought, 'Oh, I've really stuffed this up,'" the winning rider said. "The apprentice in me came out and I kicked forwards and ended up lobbing in a beautiful spot. I just got a little bit itchy on the corner and I think it won me the race.
"To get one on the board is massive and to be a Railway, our iconic race. ... I'm so relieved it's all over and done with. It's going to take a couple of weeks to sink in."
Port Lockroy was purchased for AU$300,000 by Neasham and Brian McGuire from the Yarramalong Park draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He has now earned $1,215,250 in prize money, with three wins and a further five placings to his name from a total of just 15 starts.
Out of the stakes-placed winning mare Freezethemillions, Port Lockroy is a brother to the BJ McLachlan Stakes (G3) and Phelan Ready Stakes winner Alpine Edge. He is now covering his first book of mares at Clear Mountain Fairview Stud.
In winning Saturday's Railway, Port Lockroy became the second individual elite-level winner and 14th individual stakes winner for Lyndhurst Stud's Better Than Ready, who is standing at a fee of AU$27,500.
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