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Some future WFA stars line the Race History of the Kingston Town Classic run at Ascot on Saturday.
The great Better Loosen Up won it before winning a Railway and a Cox Plate. Could the winner of the 2018 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot on Saturday develop like that?
2018 Kingston Town Classic: Nominations
2018 KINGSTON TOWN CLASSIC - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Kingston Town Classic is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for the top grade at Ascot conducted by Perth Racing.
The Kingston Town Classic is run over 1800m. It was first run in 1976 and was won by Family Of Man.
The race is the follow up from the Handicap Railway Stakes.
There have been runnings of the Kingston Town Classic at a mile or even 2000m but the vast majority have been over 1800m.
The Kingston Town Classic was a Principal Race then became a Group 1 from 1979.
Mares have only won three times in 37 years but a filly saluted in 2015.
8 x 3yos have won the last 31 Classics. 8 of the 11 before that were won by 3yos. A remarkable transformation but they did win in 2013/15.
Playing God became the fifth horse to win two Classics – the others being Niconero, Family of Man, Summer Beau and Old Comrade.
Cox Plate/top eastern states WFA form was part of the early history of the race via the likes of Family Of Man, Kingston Town, Vo Rogue and Better Loosen Up.
Those to do the Railway Stakes/Kingston Town Classic double are Better Loosen Up, Old Comrade, Modem and Sniper’s Bullet.
2003 running was at Belmont racecourse.
The Kingston Town Classic is worth $1,000,000 in 2018.
Notable winners of the Kingston Town Classic include Stratum Star (2016), Perfect Reflection (2015), Moriarty (2014), Luckygray (2012), Playing God (2010/2011), Sniper’s Bullet (2009), Niconero (2006/2008), Modem (2004), Old Comrade (2000/2001), Summer Beau (1996/1997), Old Role (1991), Better Loosen Up (1989), Vo Rogue (1988), Military Plume (1986), Bounty Hawk (1983), Kingston Town (1982), Sovereign Red (1980), Mighty Kingdom (1979) and Family Of Man (1976/1978).
The 2017 Kingston Town Classic was won by Pounamu from Material Man and Achernar Star.