Former boom WA galloper Western Empire to tackle Group 3 Standish Handicap

The 2021 Group 1 Railway Stakes winner Western Empire is set make his stable debut for John Leek Jnr in Saturday’s Group 3 Standish Handicap at Flemington.

Western Empire is set to make his stable debut for John Leek Jnr (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

Group 1-winning miler Western Empire is set to tackle the famous Flemington straight in his first outing for new trainer John Leek Jnr.

The 2021 Railway Stakes winner will make his stable debut in Saturday’s Group 3 Standish Handicap in what will be first try over 1200m.

Western Empire, who started his career with Grant and Alana Williams in Western Australia, had just two runs for trainer Danny O’Brien before being transferred to Leek.

The five-year-old was last seen finishing worse than midfield in the Makybe Diva Stakes in the spring, following a fifth-placing as a $4.80 favourite in the Memsie Stakes.

“He’s in good shape but this is more of a pipe-opener for races further down the track if I’m being realistic,” Leek said of the $1.5m earner.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy Western Empire's demolition in last year's Railway 🔥pic.twitter.com/ZV2aR25pus

— TAB (@tabcomau) November 18, 2022

Western Empire comes into the $250,000 feature off an 850m jumpout at Pakenham on January 3 where he finished a close second behind his stablemate Superstorm.

Talented Peter Moody-trained pair Daytona Bay and Invincible Caviar finished fifth and sixth respectively in the heat.

“I was happy with his jumpout at Pakenham. He did what I was hoping to see from him,” Leek said.

While Leek’s first-up expectations aren’t exactly high for Western Empire, he’s hoping to see enough to warrant a crack at a Group 1 in a month’s time.

“(Owner) Bob Peters wants to run him in the CF Orr Stakes so that’s the main goal for him this preparation.”

Western Empire is currently a $26 chance with TAB for the February 11 feature – to be held at Sandown Hillside this year – with Anamoe heading betting at $4.50.

Along with Western Empire, Leek is set to saddle up promising mare Frigid in a Benchmark 70 over the Flemington 1400m.

“I’ve nominated her for two races but I think we’ll go to the 70.

“That was a good run first-up over 1200m. She had to go right back from a wide gate and found the line well for a horse who needs further.

“I think she’ll appreciate Flemington and the rise to 1400m,” Leek said.

Originally published as Former boom WA galloper Western Empire to tackle Group 3 Standish Handicap