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Timeform Recap: Kingston Town Stakes

3 minute read

The Masters concluded at Ascot on Saturday with the Darren Weir trained Stratum Star reigning supreme in the Group 1 Kingston Town Stakes.

Stratum Star
Stratum Star Picture: Racing and Sports

Day 1 and Day 2 provided many highlights, though Stratum Star would sit atop, being the highest rated winner of the carnival.

The winner's stall had eluded Stratum Star for 413 days (12 starts), though a well orchestrated plan saw the son of Stratum clinch his second Group 1 success.

While mixing his form over the past 12 months, Stratum Star was stakes placed on five occasions, form which left him well placed under the weight-for-age conditions.

Despite being below par in his first three performances this campaign, Stratum Star put the writing on the wall two back when only narrowly edged out by the talented Redkirk Warrior.

Returning a Timeform rating of 119 on that occasion, Stratum Star brought the highest last start rating into the Kingston Town [1800m]and proceeded to relish the step up in trip.

In what was a true staying test, Stratum Star only got the better of Scales Of Justice in the final few strides.

Although a lot has been made of Douglas Whyte's ride aboard Scales Of Justice, upon review Stratum Star appeared to have his measure before Whyte had mistaken the winning post.

Stratum Star's performance saw him return a Timeform rating of 121, the equal highest winning rating for the past 20 years — both Snipper's Bullet (2009) and Niconero (2008 & 2006) returned the same figure.

Talented mare Perfect Reflection was no match for her two rivals, though still worked home solidly to finish third.

Five-time Group 1 winning galloper Kawi finished fourth, in what looks a fairly strong piece of form moving forward.

While clearly no knock on Stratum Star, Scales Of Justice is definitely the horse to follow out of the Kingston Town.

A winner of seven of his 14 starts, the son of Not A Single Doubt has never missed the money and rounds out his Summer campaign rated 121.

While earmarked early doors as a very promising type, the improvement Scales Of Justice has made this preparation has been nothing short of remarkable.

With a Timeform master rating of 121, that gives trainer Lindsey Smith plenty of options as it should see him competitive in a number of features in the East.

The big question Smith has to answer is what is Scales Of Justice pet distance?

Saturday's Kingston Town Stakes was a true staying test and suggests Scales Of Justice could be stretched to 2000m, though a race like the Stradbroke appears a logical target for the four-year-old.

In truth if able to replicate his form in the East, Scales Of Justice would certainly be competitive during the Championships, though the weather could prove his biggest rival.

Scales Of Justice has only seen a rain affected track once, which came on debut at Northam.

While an easy winner on that occasion, it still remains an unknown — though on breeding he should have few concerns, being by Not A Single Doubt.

Worth noting that prior to joining Darren Weir's stable, Black Heart Bart was rated 119, a further push for Scales Of Justice being more than competitive away from Perth.
Racing and Sports

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