Annabel and Rob Archibald will bid for back-to-back Railway Stakes (G1) victories Nov. 22 when Queensland Guineas (G2) winner Depth Of Character takes his place in the Ascot feature.
Despite having not tasted victory since his group 2 win, the Deep Field gelding heads west with solid spring form, including a last-start fourth behind superstar filly Autumn Glow in the AU$10 million Golden Eagle. His profile closely mirrors that of last year's Railway winner Port Lockroy, who the Archibalds also prepared to group 1 success in Perth.
Depth Of Character will, however, need to overcome a wide barrier, having drawn the outside gate (20) for the AU$1.5 million feature.
"He's been racing well," co-trainer Rob Archibald told ANZ News. "He ran a really good fourth in the Golden Eagle, and Port Lockroy came through the Golden Eagle last year, so you'd like to think he's coming in with the right form lines.
"He's got a very difficult draw, which he's going to have to overcome. But apart from that, I think the horse is in super order, and we're very happy with him.
"He seems to have traveled over there well. Liz is with him and she's pleased with the way he's been, so from our point of view, he's got over there well, he's been in good form leading into the run. We're just going to need some luck from the gate."
An AU$180,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase from China Horse Club's The Chase in 2023, the son of Newgate's pensioned sire Deep Field hails from the high-quality family of star fillies Pussy O'Reilly and Pussy Willow, and will attempt to turn around a run of misfortune when he steps out Saturday.
"He's had a couple of starts where he hasn't had much luck, but I really liked his run the other day, and he's a horse where you get the first half of the race right, then he usually does his best work late," Archibald said.
"Reece Jones will be going over to ride him, and I'm sure he'll be watching all the replays and trying to work out where you need to be in the run. But hopefully there's good pressure and hopefully we can slot in somewhere around midfield.
Ideal Draw for Watch Me Rock In Railway
Confidence surrounding Railway Stakes favorite Watch Me Rock only strengthened after the Grant and Alana Williams-trained gelding came up with barrier 4 for Saturday's mile feature at Ascot. The in-form 5-year-old, who has won four of his past five starts, will carry 54 kilograms with William Pike booked to ride. Top weight Western Empire drew the inside alley and will be partnered by Billy Egan.
It was a far tougher result for visiting contenders. Chris Waller's Osipenko drew barrier 17 after making the trip west, while Depth Of Character fared even worse.
Tim Clark will take the ride on Osipenko. Fourth emergency Cosmic Crusader has drawn ideally in barrier 7 should he gain a start, and would carry just 53 kilograms.
