Better Than Ready's Port Lockroy Triumphs in G1 Railway Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday November 23

Interstate visitors have a poor winning record in the $1,500,000 Group 1 Swan Draught - Railway Stakes, but Port Lockroy played his part in squaring the ledger when choosing the perfect spot to end a run of bad luck in stakes races.

That Group 1 winning feeling (image Western Racepix)

A first Group, 1 winner for Clint Johnston-Porter, the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained son of Better Than Ready, enjoyed a charmed run to defeat the veteran Playing God gelding Comfort Me by three-quarters of a length, with the 4-year-old Super One mare Super Smirk back in third.

It was the second Group 1 for Rob Archibald since teaming up with Annabel Neasham after Sunshine In Paris in the Darley Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington.

Advertisement

“I am so excited for the owners in the horse. He has been unlucky for almost his whole career,” Archibald said.

“CJ executed the perfect race, so full credit to him.

“Annabel has always had so much confidence in the horse and it was nice to see him deliver on the big stage.”

With his maiden stakes win, Port Lockroy advances his record to three wins, two seconds, and three thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $1,197,250.

A $300,000 purchase for Annabel Neasham and Brian McGuire from the Yarramalong Park draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Port Lockroy is a brother to the Group III BRC BJ McLachlan Stakes and Listed BRC Phelan Ready Stakes winner Alpine Edge.

Runner-up in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic and winner of the $1,000,000 Racing Qld Magic Millions, on the way to banking $1,882,125, Alpine Edge is covering his first book of mares at Clear Mountain Fairview Stud.

Port Lockroy a $300,000 Magic Millions yearling

His stakes-placed dam Freezethemillions (Freeze) has an unraced 2-year-old brother to Port Lockroy and Alpine Edge named Mortal Halo and foaled a filly by Supido on September 10.  

From the family of Zeditave, Port Lockroy is the 14th stakes-winner and second Group 1 winner for Lyndhurst Stud’s More Than Ready stallion Better Than Ready.

Advertisment

Race Result - Swan Draught - Railway Stakes Gr1 1600m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 1:35.24
1
Port Lockroy
- 4h Better Than Ready (AUS) x Freezethemillions (AUS) (Freeze (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 53
2
0.8
Comfort Me
- 8g Playing God (AUS) x Southern Comfort (AUS) (Comfy (USA))
Tnr: Rhys Radford Rdr: Holly Watson 54.5
3
0.8
Super Smink
- 4m Super One (AUS) x Sminky Shorts (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: D L Morton Rdr: Chris Parnham 53
4
1.2
Magnificent Andy
- 6g Magnus (AUS) x Yaloginda (AUS) (Trade Fair (GB))
Tnr: S J Miller Rdr: B Parnham 55
5
1.3
Let's Galahvant
- 6g Galah (AUS) x Secret Crush (AUS) (So Secret (AUS))
Tnr: D & B Pearce Rdr: S Mc Gruddy 54.5
6
1.4
Mojo Rhythm
- 6g Playing God (AUS) x Saddle Me Up (AUS) (Grey Swallow (IRE))
Tnr: Mitchell Pateman Rdr: P Carbery 53
7
1.9
Searchin' Roc's
- 6m Awesome Rock (AUS) x Still Searchin' (AUS) (Trade Fair (GB))
Tnr: J P Taylor Rdr: Ms K Yuill 53.5
8
2.2
Triple Missile
- 7g Smart Missile (AUS) x Triple Latte (USA) (Medaglia D'oro (USA))
Tnr: Ms D Riordan Rdr: Joseph Azzopardi 53
9
2.3
Zipaway
- 4g Playing God (AUS) x Boutique (AUS) (Discorsi (AUS))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: S Parnham 53
10
2.4
Socks Nation
- 4m Sioux Nation (USA) x Tahnee Tiara (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Declan Bates 53.5
11
2.4
Casino Seventeen
- 7g Casino Prince (AUS) x Tikal (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: W Pike 56
12
3.3
Light Infantry Man
- 6g Fast Company (IRE) x Lights On Me (GB) (Kyllachy (GB))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55.5
13
3.5
Bustler
- 5g Playing God (AUS) x Cosmah Domination (AUS) (Oratorio (AUS))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: Jarrad Noske 56
14
4.1
Democracy Manifest
- 6g Flying Artie (AUS) x Slippery Satin (AUS) (Benicio (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: M Zahra 55.5
15
4.4
Trix Of The Trade
- 6g Trade Fair (GB) x My Name's Trixie (AUS) (Passenger (AUS))
Tnr: C H Webster Rdr: T Turner 53
16
4.8
Belclare
- 7m Per Incanto (USA) x Miss Rhythmic (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: N Rawiller 57.5
More Reading...
2025 Breeze Ups Postponed One Week
NZB has made the decision to postpone the Breeze Ups for the 2025 Ready to Run Sale due to unfavourable weather conditions with heavy rain and wind predicted through to Tuesday.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Joe Pride has already prepared a stakes-winner for Godolphin in blue-blood Lonhro colt Attica and he unleashed a debut winner for them by I Am Invincible at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
Yulong Purchase into Enriched - Inglis October (Early) Sale
Three individual shares in the G2-winning entire Enriched sold for a combined $440,000 in a highly successful Inglis Digital October (Early) Online Sale today.
Three 2.2million Guineas Colts Top Second Day of Tattersalls Book 1 - Two by Wootton Bassett
The second day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale saw a further six lots realise seven-figure prices headed by a trio of colts, two by the late WOOTTON BASSETT, both bought by Amo Racing, and one by FRANKEL, at 2,200,000 guineas. The average was an impressive 352,672 guineas.
Cambridge Stud Mare Primed for Return
Patience has been a key factor in the rise of Jaarffi to the elite level and she’s in good order to open her six-year-old campaign at Rotorua.
Andy Caps positive week for Alwyn Park
Alwyn Park Stud owner John Andrew has received a positive post-script to Magnificent Andy’s victory in the inaugural $1 million Golden Saddle (1200m) at Kalgoorlie on Saturday.
Metro Winner Adds to Yes Yes Yes Spring Surge
October is shaping as a great month for Gooree Stud’s new addition Yes Yes Yes with the 2019 Everest hero reeling off four winners in the past week including Maybe Moet, who saluted at Randwick on Wednesday.
Hot Lots Day 3 - Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1
The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale third and final session kicks off tonight our time and for those interested in the number one yearling sale in Europe we are taking a look at some of the yearlings tipped to top each day.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 8
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
RAM Racing Join Forces with Newgate and GPI Racing for Everest
Western Australia’s RAM Racing have joined forces with Newgate and GPI Racing in their 2025 TAB Everest slot, reuniting with Group 1-winning sprinter Overpass and are set to bring a wave of loyal supporters from the west.