Veteran galloper Gailo Chop will continue his spring preparation this Saturday when he contests the Group 1 Railway Stakes at Ascot.
The three-time Group 1 winner travelled to Western Australia in late October with two races in mind; the Group 1 Railway Stakes over 1600m and his main target, the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic over 1800m, a race he finished 2nd in last year.
The ten-year-old gelding lost no admirers in his recent Melbourne spring campaign, which included two fair performances to finish 4th in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes and 5th in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes.
Trainer Matthew Williams told Racenet that the chance to compete in Group 1s without the star Melbourne gallopers made Western Australia an attractive option.
“It’s similar form to last year, and we’re getting away from the Russian Camelots and Arcadia Queens in the Railway but still running for $1 million in a Group 1 race,” Williams said.
Gailo Chop has enjoyed a five-week freshen up, much of which was spent at Lindsey Smith’s Western Australian stables. The stable commented that he has been relishing his new surroundings, including plenty of sand work and expeditions to the beach.
“He seems to enjoy it over there, and a bit of change in environment hasn’t hurt him, and probably sparked him a bit,” Williams commented.
Brad Rawiller, who has relocated to Western Australia for the summer, is booked to ride the galloper in both Group 1 contests.
Gailo Chop has enjoyed an illustrious career, including three Group 1s; the 2015 Mackinnon Stakes, 2017 Caulfield Stakes and 2018 Ranvet Stakes and amassed $4,465,148 in prize money.
Best of luck to his connections!
