Kingston Town Classic: Brad Rawiller believes Best Of Days can land him his third crown

Brad Rawiller knows what it takes to win a Kingston Town Classic, having tasted success in the Perth Group 1 twice, and reckons he might be jumping on the form horse again.

Brad Rawiller has an affinity with the Kingston Town Classic, having won it twice, and thinks he has the horse to give him a third at Ascot on Saturday.

Rawiller won the Group 1 race on Niconero in 2004 and 2006 and thinks Best Of Days profiles similarly to him as he should relish the 1800m.

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Rawiller said Best Of Days’ last-start second to Regal Power in the 1600m Railway Stakes suggested he was on track to win.

“He was fit enough to run the mile, but he would have taken improvement. He won the Coongy over 2000m and 1800m is perfect,” the Victorian jockey said on Friday.

“I thought it was a super run in the Railway and he’ll be much better suited at weight-for-age conditions of the Kingston Town. It would be nice to win a third.”

Jockey Brad Rawiller believes Best Of Days is peaking at the right time.

James Cummings has changed Best Of Days’ gear, putting a tongue tie on and taking off the crossover noseband he wore in the Railway.

“He doesn’t miss anything with a horse,” Rawiller said.

“He knows their peculiarities inside and out.

“If he’s done a gear change, you know there’s a reason.”

Best Of Times takes out the Kennedy Mile at Flemington in 2018.

Rawiller said he would be thrilled to land a Group 1 for Cummings, who has played in a pivotal role in his comeback from a broken neck suffered in October last year.

“I had to start somewhere and Flemington was next door,’’ he said.

“I asked him for a favour for a month whether I could ride one or two so I could get my fitness back.

“I did a bit of work on Best Of Days after he didn’t jump in the Futurity.

“I was going to ride him in the Blamey, but he didn’t run, but six months later it’s come to fruition.”

Rawiller is unconcerned by Best Of Days’ low draw, saying “barrier two is better than ­barrier 15”.

Perth owner Bob Peters, who has five runners in the race, including the favourite, filly Tuscan Queen, suggested Best Of Days was the horse to beat.

“Best Of Days is a tough old horse and he will meet Regal Power 3.5kg better off,” Peters said.

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KINGSTON TOWN CLASSIC (1800m)

RACE 8, 7.50PM ASCOT

THE FACTORS

Track: Good 4

Rail: True

Forecast: Cloudy, Showers 27C

BEST CHANCES

BEST OF DAYS $8.50

He’s got the best recent form of the older horses and he can mix it at weight-for-age. Ran on strongly for second in the Railway Stakes and meets the winner Regal Power 3.5kg better on weights. Also he’s better drawn in this race.

TUSCAN QUEEN $3.10

Last year the Bob Peters/Pike/Williams team landed this race with star filly Arcadia Queen who had had five starts for four wins and a second. They are trying to replicate that success with another three-year-old filly who has had three wins and a second from four starts. She could also be a star so it’s no surprise that she’s favourite.

REGAL POWER $9.50

Another of the Bob Peters attack on the race and he powered home to win the Railway Stakes last start. Extra 200m right up his alley as he won the West Australian Derby over 2400m at this track. Oliver rides.

GATTING $16

Ran on in adequate fashion in the Railway Stakes with big weight and will meet all of his rivals on better terms. Finished second in this race last year. Showed with his shock win in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington in September he’s up to winning a race like this.

PACODALI $16

Huge win in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Hillside last start over an accomplished galloper in Setting Sail in a fast time. He’s got the Lindsey Smith polish on him and he can run a cheeky race.

KAY CEE $10

Another of the fillies who will carry only the featherweight of 50kg. Two starts ago she finished third behind Tuscan Queen in the WA Fillies Championship where she settled last and made up ground.

MORE PUNTING INFO

OFF AND RACING: DAVO’S BEST FOR ROSEHILL

WEEKEND BEST BETS: LITTLE GREY’S BIG CHANCE

QUINNY’S BEST TIPS: VALUE LIES IN THE WEST

NATHAN’S RACEBOOK: DOOMBEN PREVIEW

ROUGHIE

GAILO CHOP $26

He’s going better than his form suggests and 1800m is his pet distance. Led into a headwind and tired in the Mackinnon Stakes which is a step up from this. If he can control the race he’ll be run a big race.

THE SPEED

Should be good speed with THE VELVET KING likely to lead from GAILO CHOP. PACODALI from an outside draw should also work forward. BEST OF DAYS will try and position up behind them.

HISTORY SAYS

Only two three-year-old fillies have won the race but they have been in the past four years with Perfect Reflection in 2015 and Arcadia Queen in 2019. Tuscan Queen and Kay Cee will be looking to take it to three in five years.

THE STRATEGY

Back Best Of Days each-way. He’s in great form and looks value at $8.50 and $2.90 the place. If you wanted to bet conservatively $2.90 the place looks a good play.

THE STRATEGY

Back Best Of Days each-way. He’s in great form and looks value at $8.50 and $2.90 the place. If you wanted to bet conservatively $2.90 the place looks a good play.

THE TRAINER

MATTHEW WILLIAMS (No. 1 $26)

GAILO CHOP

“I saw him this morning and he looked bright and well. If he was to bring his Underwood Stakes run to this race in a stronger race he’ll be very competitive. He’s in similar order to that day.”

MICHAEL MANLEY SELECTS

1. BEST OF DAYS
2. Tuscan Queen
3. Regal Power
4. Gatting

HOW MANY WINNERS FOR PIKE AT ASCOT?

With WA jockey William Pike set to ride six favourites from his seven rides in Ascot, TAB have opened a market on how many winners he will come away with on the day.

3+ winners is the favourite in the market at $2, while those who think he can go close to winning each ride can get $61 for 6+ wins.

How many winners will Willie Pike ride?

$2 3+

$4.20 4+

$18 5+

$61 6+

Originally published as Kingston Town Classic: Brad Rawiller believes Best Of Days can land him his third crown