Horse Racing Tips for the Railway Stakes 2025

The Group 1 action rolls straight into Western Australia, where Ascot hosts the first of three major features.

The Railway Stakes over 1600m is Perth’s signature mile contest and as is almost always the case in WA, champion rider William Pike dominates the early market with favourite Watch Me Rock.

The local star has an outstanding strike-rate at Ascot and once again carries the weight of punter expectation.

But this year’s Railway brings serious interstate flavour.

Bjorn Baker sends across Iowna Merc, who is desperate to get back onto firm ground after tackling the heavy in the Russell Balding.

Annabel and Rob Archibald saddle up the lightly-raced Depth Of Character, fresh off a strong fourth in the Golden Eagle.

Chris Waller also makes the trip west, booking Tim Clark to partner Osipenko.

It sets up as a terrific edition to kick off the Perth Racing Carnival, and Cody Lane is attacking the race with confidence, identifying two double-figure bets capable of upsetting the favourite.

You can access his full set of racing tips for this Saturday via the link below.

 

 

Cody Lane’s Railway Stakes Preview 2025

Track Conditions

A warm Perth forecast means Ascot should present as a genuine Good 3 by the time the Railway Stakes jumps.

The track has been playing evenly in recent weeks, but on a firm deck the pattern tends to favour horses settling in the first half of the field.

Expect those close to the speed to have an advantage, particularly if the tempo is moderate.

 

Speed Map and Race Shape

Comfort Me (6) is the natural leader and will roll forward to control the race.

With several stayers dropping back in distance, Diamond Scene (3), Sentimental Hero (11) and Ginger Baker (18) are likely to slot in behind and keep the tempo genuine without applying too much pressure.

Watch Me Rock (4) should position perfectly just behind the pace, allowing Pike to peel out and use his turn of foot.

Cosmic Crusader (7) maps to land near the favourite if he gains a start.

Key runners Western Empire (1), Iowna Merc (9), Super Smink (15), Osipenko (17) and Depth Of Character (20) are expected to settle towards the rear and look to launch late.

With Holly Watson dictating on Comfort Me and no aggressive pressure from the stayers, expect a moderate tempo that rewards strong travellers and horses with a sustained final 400m.

 

 

Selections & Analysis

1st – #8 Diamond Scene – $9.50

The lightly-raced 6yo is shooting for his 10th win from 19 starts and brings proper Group form into this race.

His first-up win in the Eurythmic was superb, sitting outside the speed and holding off the favourite Watch Me Rock.

Yes, the favourite had little luck, but the market discrepancy between the two is far too wide.

Diamond Scene will relish rising to the mile, maps almost identically to his last-start win and has already proven he can absorb pressure and kick hard late.

Second-up, with a race shape to suit, he is a serious winning chance at a juicy price.

 

 

2nd – #14 Depth Of Character – $12.00

Annabel and Rob Archibald won this race last year with Port Lockroy, and they return with another high-class 4yo.

This profile ticks key Railway boxes:

• 4yos have won the past four editions

• 23 of the last 38 winners have been four-year-olds

• Depth Of Character brings elite Golden Eagle form

His fourth behind Autumn Glow, Sepals, and Evaporate is A-grade form and measures up beautifully against the WA locals.

He will get back from barrier 20, but with Reece Jones taking the ride and a 23% strike-rate with the stable, he will be charging home late.

 

3rd – #12 Watch Me Rock – $3.70

The deserved favourite.

He was unlucky behind Diamond Scene but atoned immediately with a strong win in the Asian Beau.

His Ascot record is remarkable: eight wins from ten starts.

With Pike in outstanding form and the perfect stalking map, he’ll be in the finish again.

 

4th – #20 Cosmic Crusader – $7.50

If he gains a run, he is a live chance.

A lightly-raced 5yo who has started odds-on in his past two runs, he simply had no luck last start when beaten by Watch Me Rock.

From barrier 7 he maps perfectly and will be strong late.

A knockout hope.

 

For thousands more tips including free selections for today's racing, head to Australia's best racing tips market at thegreattipoff.com.