A return to Western Australia sparked a return to form for Luckygray who last Saturday recorded his second Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) success.
Now under the care of Trevor Andrews, Luckygray showed encouraging signs at his stable debut when a close fourth in the Waroa-Lee Steere Stakes (1400m).
Up in both grade and distance however against some in form interstate raiders, Luckygray took his place in the Railway Stakes (1600m) as only a middle tier chance.
From an awkward draw jockey Shaun O’Donnell positioned Luckygray well back in the field but in his favour did find cover one off the fence.
Luckygray at the 600m was still giving the early leaders a sizeable lead but after saving ground turning for home was full of running upon straightening.
Moved out onto the centre of the track, Luckygray quickly went about reeling in those early leaders and overpowered them late for a half length success.
Platinum Rocker produced a career best effort to finish second while Fire Up Fifi further bolstered her black type record with another Group 1 placing.
Having won the 2011 renewal of the Railway Stakes in the most controversial protest upheld for some time, nobody could question Luckygray’s second success in the Ascot feature last Saturday.
The performance yielded the grey a Timeform figure of 121, one pound shy of a master rating recorded when runner up in the 2012 Railway Stakes (1600m).
In claiming his second Railway Stakes (1600m), Luckygray now shares the equal highest winning figure of the event alongside 1995 winner Jacks Or Better.
Luckygray’s 2012 performance when second to Mr Moet carrying 58kg is actually the highest rating run during a Railway Stakes in renewals back to 1989.
The Bradbury’s Luck gelding is now favourite for the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot on December 7 where he will look to defend his title.
A win would see Luckygray become the sixth horse to complete the Railway Stakes/Kingston Town double with Sniper’s Bullet the last horse to have achieved the feat in 2009.
