Ladbrokes Tip: The Lee Steere Stakes is the traditional Railway Stakes lead-up each season
The latest edition of the $1.5 million Railway Stakes ran at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday November 22, 2025 to kick off elite level racing in Perth for the summer season and saw the Grant & Alana Williams trained favourite Watch Me Rock ($3.30F) salute for the punters in style.
2025 Railway Stakes Results
The official Railway Stakes 2025 Results & Finishing Order will be published below once the $1.5 million dollar feature takes place on Saturday November 22, 2025.
- 1st: No. 12 Watch Me Rock
- 2nd: No. 1 Western Empire
- 3rd: No. 11 Sentimental Hero
Watch Me Rock ($3.30F) stormed home to salute for the punters in the 2025 Railway Stakes results at Ascot on Saturday, giving Grant & Alana Williams their sixth victory in the famous mile and jockey William Pike his sixth triumph in the race. The five-year-old Awesome Rock gelding justified his favouritism, producing a powerful finish to defeat stablemate veteran stablemate Western Empire in a Williams-trained quinella. The win marked the stable’s first Group 1 success since splitting with long-time owner Bob Peters, while Pike added another jewel to his remarkable Railway record. Settled fourth at the top of the straight, Watch Me Rock worked his way to the front 200m out from the line before drawing clear for his three-quarter length win which was a Group 1 first for his sire. Watch Me Rock’s Railway triumph confirmed his elite status and set up a tantalising decision for Pike, who must now choose between sticking with the champ or partnering unbeaten WA Guineas hero King Of Light in the upcoming $1.5 million Northerly Stakes.
2025 Railway Stakes Odds
The summer’s top Railway Stakes 2025 betting markets and links to the Railway Stakes odds will be provided below the week of the race so stay tuned for the best Perth racing markets on the hopeful milers.
| 12. Watch Me Rock (4) J: William Pike 54kg 11x31T: Grant & Alana Williams | ||
| 1. Western Empire (1) J: Billy Egan 58kg 914x5T: Grant & Alana Williams | ||
| 11. Sentimental Hero (9) J: Craig Newitt 54kg x5211T: Peter Fernie | ||
| 8. Diamond Scene (3) J: Clint Johnston-Porter 54.5kg 212x1T: Michael Grantham | ||
| 2. Magnificent Andy (8) J: Brad Parnham 57.5kg 2x154T: Stephen Miller | ||
| 7. Comfort Me (5) J: Holly Watson 54.5kg 00x23T: Rhys Radford | ||
| 6. Osipenko (14) J: Tim Clark 55kg x4301T: Chris Waller | ||
| 13. Admiration Express (6) J: Lucy Fiore 53.5kg 41x78T: Jason Miller | ||
| 5. In Good Order (2) J: Shaun O'Donnell 55kg 317x2T: Daniel Morton | ||
| 15. Ginger Baker (15) J: Joey Azzopardi 53.5kg 13146T: Daniel & Ben Pearce | ||
| 14. Depth Of Character (16) J: Reece Jones 53.5kg 03084T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | ||
| 4. Super Smink (12) J: Chris Parnham 56kg 79x31T: Daniel Morton | ||
| 3. Iowna Merc (7) J: Shaun McGruddy 56.5kg 0x620T: Bjorn Baker | ||
| 9. Bustler (11) J: Steven Parnham 54kg 89x07T: Neville Parnham | ||
| 16. Storyville (10) J: Fred W Kersley 53kg 2x661T: Grant & Alana Williams | ||
| 10. Let's Galahvant (13) J: Natasha Faithfull 54kg 020x0T: Daniel & Ben Pearce |
Railway Stakes Tips
Railway Stakes tips favour locally trained horses with previous winning form over a mile and at the firm Ascot track.
Runners coming off a top four finish in the Lee Steere Stakes usually make a good Railway Stakes bet, with lighter-weighted runners usually the way to go tipping-wise.
In 2022 Trix Of The Trade carried the 53kg light weight to victory as the favourite.
Bustler (2023) and Port Lockroy (2024) are the latest Railway Stakes winner to carry 53kg to victory.
Other Railway Stakes race tips include looking for the in-form four-year-olds in the race as they have the best strike-rate in recent years and for those at double-digits in betting with upsets not uncommon.
Regal Power ($10 in 2019), Western Empire ($1.60 in 2021), Trix Of The Trade ($5 in 2022), Bustler ($9 in 2023), and Port Lockroy ($9 in 2024) are the latest four-year-old Railway Stakes winners.
2025 Railway Stakes Tips
Our Ladbrokes’ insider Railway Stakes 2025 betting tips and Perth Group 1 racing selections on the mile classic will be detailed below the week of the race so bookmark this page for the runners to back and sack this summer.
To Win: No. 12 Watch Me Rock
WATCH ME ROCK (4) heads into Saturday’s Railway Stakes as the clear market elect and for good reason. The five-year-old Awesome Rock gelding has drawn perfectly in barrier four, giving him every chance to continue the formidable strike-rate of Team Williams and Willie Pike in WA’s premier mile.
Punters know the historical profile stacks up: Pike is already a five-time Railway Stakes winner, including four straight between 2018–2021, while Grant & Alana Williams have prepared multiple champions of the race. With that combination reunited, Watch Me Rock is in the right hands to deliver on his Group 1 debut.
An Ascot specialist with eight wins from 10 starts at the track, he arrives third-up and fit after a narrow but decisive victory in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m). That run showed his toughness, and stepping to the mile looks ideal. Importantly, he’s undefeated from two previous 1600m assignments, suggesting the distance is right in his wheelhouse.
He’s deserving favourite and looks set to give Pike his sixth Railway Stakes triumph. The horse to beat for mine and a strong play for punters looking to back class, form, and history.
|
12. Watch Me Rock (4)
J: William Pike 54kg
11×31T: Grant & Alana Williams
|
The Railway Stakes is one of the three Group 1 races run at Ascot Racecourse during the Perth Summer Racing Carnival each November in Western Australia.
Offering $1.5 million in prize money, the Railway Stakes is a handicap race contested over 1600m and is the opening Group 1 Perth race of the season.
The weight-for-age Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) held at Ascot a fortnight before is the key lead-up, but the double hasn’t been achieved since Belle Bizarre (2006).
The latest Railway Stakes winner to back-up off a Lee Steere Stakes run meanwhile are Great Shot (2nd in 2017) and Bustler (5th in 2023).
Many graduates go on to run in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) back at the track over 2000m further the next month.
Sniper’s Bullet (2009) was the last horse to win both Perth Group 1s without another run in between completing the Railway Stakes – Kingston Town Stakes double.
In 2020 the Railway Stakes winner Inspirational Girl ran a next-up second in that summer’s Kingston Town Classic results, as did Western Empire in 2021.
Dom To Shoot (3rd in 2024) was the last Railway Stakes graduate to go on to win the Northerly Stakes.
Railway Stakes Race Facts
- Date: Saturday November 22, 2025
- Track: Ascot Racecourse
- Distance: 1600m
- Conditions: Quality Handicap
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money: $1.5 million
- First Run: 1887
Railway Stakes 2025 Race Day Schedule
There are ten races on the Railway Stakes Day card, including the W.A. Guineas and Carbine Club of W.A. Stakes.
| Race Name | Number | Time* | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| TABTOUCH – WESTSPEED PLATINUM SERIES HEAT 3 | 1 | 11:59 AM | 1400m |
| MAGIC MILLIONS – CRYSTAL SLIPPER STAKES | 2 | 12:34 PM | 1100m |
| DRUMMOND GOLF HANDICAP | 3 | 1:11 PM | 2100m |
| MCA POLYTRACK HANDICAP | 4 | 1:51 PM | 1600m |
| SCHWEPPES HANDICAP | 5 | 2:28 PM | 1400m |
| CARBINE CLUB OF W.A. STAKES | 6 | 3:03 PM | 1400m |
| GLENROY CHAFF – A.J. SCAHILL CUP | 7 | 3:40 PM | 2100m |
| W.A. GUINEAS | 8 | 4:20 PM | 1600m |
| SWAN DRAUGHT – RAILWAY STAKES | 9 | 4:58 PM | 1600m |
| SHARE BETS WITH TABTOUCH BET LOOP HANDICAP | 9 | 5:40 PM | 1200m |
*All times quoted are local (AWST) and subject to change
Railway Stakes 2025 Date & Race Time
The 2025 Railway Stakes is run at 4:58 pm (AWST) / 7:58 pm (AEDT) on Saturday, November 22. It’s the ninth race on the card at Ascot, on what is one of the biggest Western Australian race meetings of the year.
Railway Stakes Prize Money Breakdown
The Railway Stakes 2025 runs for a total prize pool of $1.5 million, with $822,000 going to the winner. Places are paid down to 10th.
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $822,000 |
| 2nd | $279,000 |
| 3rd | $132,000 |
| 4th | $58,500 |
| 5th | $43,500 |
| 6th-10th | $27,000 |
Railway Stakes Betting
Futures betting on the Railway Stakes offers all-in prices on the probable runners a month before following the nominations, generous odds are on offer for punters at this stage. The markets firm once the Railway Stakes final field is released and offer more security for those placing a bet on the handicap classic.
RJ Peters Stakes and Lee Steere Stakes graduates from earlier during the Perth Festival of Racing traditionally dominate the Railway Stakes odds, and last start winners have a good strike rate in recent years.
Favourites have won seven times between 2007 – 2025 most recently with Inspirational Girl ($2.60 in 2020), Western Empire ($1.60 in 2021), Trix Of The Trade ($5 in 2022) and Watch Me Rock ($3.30 in 2025).
Prior to that, Galaxy Star ($2.90 in 2018) was the first since Luckygray (2011) to salute for the punters.
Railway Stakes Field
The Railway Stakes race field attracts the season’s best milers and staying types, mainly from around Western Australia with the locals holding the advantage over the visitors. A number of interstate raiders have made the trip over to line-up in the Group 1 over the years including the Chris Waller-trained Good Project from Sydney who won the 2015 edition.
Most horses that contest the Railway Stakes come via an early Perth run in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) that has produced more Railway winners than any other race in the past 20 years, most recently Bustler who improved on a lead-up fifth in 2023.
Earlier the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes (1400m) – formerly known as the Northerly Stakes – makes a good lead-up into the Railway Stakes field. In 2022 the Eurythmic Stakes winner Resortman went on to run fourth in that year’s Railway Stakes results.
Railway Stakes nominations close a month before the race before the final field is released the Monday before the event runs on the Saturday.
2025 Railway Stakes Field
The official Railway Stakes 2025 Field of Final Acceptors is set for release the Monday before the race followed by the Railway Stakes 2025 Barriers on the Tuesday, so stay tuned to see what gun gallopers make the line-up in the $1.5 million dollar feature.
The 2025 Railway Stakes field features a bumper line-up of classy middle-distance gallopers led in betting by Grant & Alana Williams’ last start Asian Beau Stakes champ Watch Me Rock – drawn well in gate four with William Pike to ride – who is an eight-time winner from 10 starts at the track and the 2021 winner Western Empire carrying the 58kg topweight from barrier one.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Western Empire
J: Billy Egan
T: Grant & Alana Williams |
x914x5 | G | 1 | 58kg | |
|
2. Magnificent Andy
J: Brad Parnham
T: Stephen Miller |
22x154 | G | 8 | 57.5kg | |
|
3. Iowna Merc
J: Shaun McGruddy
T: Bjorn Baker |
00x620 | G | 7 | 56.5kg | |
|
4. Super Smink
J: Chris Parnham
T: Daniel Morton |
379x31 | M | 12 | 56kg | |
|
5. In Good Order
J: Shaun O'Donnell
T: Daniel Morton |
2317x2 | G | 2 | 55kg | |
|
6. Osipenko
J: Tim Clark
T: Chris Waller |
5x4301 | G | 14 | 55kg | |
|
7. Comfort Me
J: Holly Watson
T: Rhys Radford |
300x23 | G | 5 | 54.5kg | |
|
8. Diamond Scene
J: Clint Johnston-Porter
T: Michael Grantham |
1212x1 | G | 3 | 54.5kg | |
|
9. Bustler
J: Steven Parnham
T: Neville Parnham |
x89x07 | G | 11 | 54kg | |
|
10. Let's Galahvant
J: Natasha Faithfull
T: Daniel & Ben Pearce |
5020x0 | G | 13 | 54kg | |
|
11. Sentimental Hero
J: Craig Newitt
T: Peter Fernie |
0x5211 | G | 9 | 54kg | |
|
12. Watch Me Rock
J: William Pike
T: Grant & Alana Williams |
111x31 | G | 4 | 54kg | |
|
13. Admiration Express
J: Lucy Fiore
T: Jason Miller |
041x78 | M | 6 | 53.5kg | |
|
14. Depth Of Character
J: Reece Jones
T: Annabel & Rob Archibald |
x03084 | G | 16 | 53.5kg | |
|
15. Ginger Baker
J: Joey Azzopardi
T: Daniel & Ben Pearce |
313146 | G | 15 | 53.5kg | |
|
16. Storyville
J: Fred W Kersley
T: Grant & Alana Williams |
32x661 | M | 10 | 53kg | |
| 17. Hemlock Stone (5) Scratched: | |||||
| 18. Yonga Lass (12) Scratched: | |||||
| 19. Aztec Ruler (19) Scratched: | |||||
| 20. Cosmic Crusader (7) Scratched: | |||||
Railway Stakes Barrier Draw 2025
The 2025 Railway Stakes final field is announced on the Monday of race week, November 17. The barrier draw is important for the 1600m race, and the official Railway Stakes barriers are announced on the Tuesday evening leading-up to the event.
The complete final field, draw, and odds are released between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm on the Tuesday, with Ladbrokes being one of the first bookmakers to release odds.
Railway Stakes Barrier Statistics
It’s an even spread when it comes to Railway Stakes barrier statistics. Drawing an inside barrier isn’t always helpful, with only two winners since 1983 drawing barrier 1. There has been only one runner from the last 42 years from barriers 3, 5, and 7, which are typically the best barriers to receive.
Barrier 8 has seven wins, and barrier 12 has six wins. Drawing wide isn’t the end of your chances, but there hasn’t been a winner drawn out wide since Regal Power in 2019 (13). Between 2013 and 2015, all three winners drew in barrier 11 or 12.
Barrier 4 is the last to produce a Railway Stakes winner with Watch Me Rock in 2025.
Railway Stakes Betting Guide
There is a good mix of favourites and outsiders to have won the Group 1 Railway Stakes, but the race favours runners paying value odds.
The most recent favourite to win came in 2025 when Watch Me Rock justified his $3.30 starting price.
Big odds were available with 2017 winner Great Shot, 2013 winner Luckygray, and 2012 winner Mr Moet. There is always room for an upset, so looking outside the favourite can be a profitable Railways Stakes betting strategy.
11 of the past 12 winners have carried 53.5kg or 53kg. It’s an amazing stat, so look for the light weight runners.
In 2025, Watch Me Rock won carrying 54kg.
2025 Railway Stakes Nominations
The official Railway Stakes 2025 Nominations & Weights will be provided below once announced by Perth Racing a few weeks out from the season’s opening Group 1 Perth summer showdown.
The 2025 Railway Stakes nominations close on Monday the 13th of October 2025.
Railway Stakes Form Guide
The Railway Stakes form guide shows punters all the must know info on the race pre-betting including the saddlecloth numbers, barriers, jockeys, trainers, weights and lead-up runs of the horses in the field.
Lee Steere Stakes graduates have an ace record so looking for this lead-up race on the form is important, as is checking the form on the horse drawn in barrier 12. Barrier 12 produced four of the Railway Stakes winners from 2009 – 2020 so is a coveted gate to draw.
The Railway Stakes 2021 form was franked with the winner Western Empire running second next-up in the Kingston Town, while the mare Kissonallforcheeks finished third in both Perth Group 1 summer events.
Railway Stakes Form Facts
- The Lee Steere Stakes is the key Railway Stakes form race to follow.
- Barrier 12 has produced the most Railway Stakes winners in the past decade.
- Favourites have a poor recent strike rate in the Railway Stakes results.
- Locally trained horses have historically made the best Railway Stakes bet.
2025 Railway Stakes Form Guide
A link to the full Railway Stakes 2025 Form Guide will be provided below the week of the race.
Railway Stakes Results
Double-figure runners have dominated the Railway Stakes race results in the past decade with the most notable upsets achieved by $21 chances Mr Moet (2012) and Luckygray (2013), who also won the 2011 edition as the $3 favourite, while Great Shot ($31 in 2017) became the longest-priced Railway Stakes winner since Sanatate ($34 in 1983).
Other noteworthy Railway Stakes winners in recent years include Western Empire (2021), Elite Belle (2014), Sniper’s Bullet (2009), El Presidente (2007), and Northerly (2000).
Inspirational Girl (2020) was the last Railway Stakes winning mare.
The filly Jungle Dawn (1987) was the last Railway Stakes winning three-year-old.
Marwong holds the current Railway Stakes race record winning over 1600m in 1988 in a time of 1:33:7 seconds.
Past Railway Stakes Winners
Recent Railway Stakes winners and placegetters dating back to the year 2000 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Third | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Watch Me Rock | Western Empire | Sentimental Hero | 1:35.80 |
| 2024 | Port Lockroy | Comfort Me | Super Smink | 1:35.24 |
| 2023 | Bustler | Alsephina | Dom To Shoot | 1:34.80 |
| 2022 | Trix Of The Trade | Comfort Me | Startrade | 1:35.8 |
| 2021 | Western Empire | Comfort Me | Kissonallforcheeks | 1:34.3 |
| 2020 | Inspirational Girl | Too Close The Sun | Uni Time | 1:33.7 |
| 2019 | Regal Power | Best Of Days | Platoon | 1:35.8 |
| 2018 | Galaxy Star | Gatting | Material Man | 1:34.8 |
| 2017 | Great Shot | Black Heart Bart | Tom Melbourne | 1:35.8 |
| 2016 | Scales of Justice | Good Project | Perfect Reflection | 1:36.1 |
| 2015 | Good Project | Messene | Balmont Girl | 1:34.5 |
| 2014 | Elite Belle | Balmont Girl | Moriarty | 1:35.3 |
| 2013 | Luckygray | Platinum Rocker | Fire Up Fifi | 1:36.7 |
| 2012 | Mr Moet | Luckygray | Rosie Rocket | 1:35.8 |
| 2011 | Luckygray | He’s Remarkable | Westriver Kevydonn | 1:34.8 |
| 2010 | Gathering | Famous Roman | Megatic | 1:35.1 |
| 2009 | Snipers Bullet | Tarzi | Colour Correct | 1:34.2 |
| 2008 | Gilded Venom | Sniper’s Bullet | Annenkov | 1.34:5 |
| 2007 | El Presidente | Hartley’s Dream | Mansion House | 1:34.7 |
| 2006 | Belle Bizarre | Confectioner | Niconero | 1:34.4 |
| 2005 | Covertly | Early Express | Blinded | 1:34.8 |
| 2004 | Modem | Mr Sandgroper | Blinded | 1:35.9 |
| 2003 | Hardrada | Early Express | Mapperholic | 1:35.7 |
| 2002 | Old Fashion | Hardrada | Corporate Bruce | 1:35.6 |
| 2001 | Old Comrade | Mr Tanzania | Finito | 1:37.6 |
| 2000 | Northerly | Old Comrade | Lizzy Long Legs | 1:35.8 |
FAQs about the Railway Stakes
When is the Railway Stakes 2025?
The Railway Stakes is run on Saturday November 22, 2025, at 7:58 pm (AEDT). It’s the ninth race on the card.
Where is the Railway Stakes 2025?
Ascot hosts the Railway Stakes 2025. It’s the premier Western Australian racetrack, and it hosts all the biggest Group 1 races.
What is the prize money for the Railway Stakes 2025?
The Railway Stakes prize money is $1.5 million, with the winner getting $822,000.
What distance is the Railway Stakes run over?
The Railway Stakes is run over 1600m. It’s a distance that appeals to sprinters trying to stretch out to the mile and middle-distance runners.
How many horses run in the Railway Stakes?
The Railway Stakes is limited to 16 runners and four emergencies. It always attracts a big field, due to the increased prize money.
Who won the 2025 Railway Stakes?
The 2025 Railway Stakes was won by five-year-old Awesome Rock gelding Watch Me Rock at $3.30 favouritism for the event’s record-holding trainers Grant & Alana Williams with jockey William Pike aboard on 54kg from barrier 4 to win by 0.75 lengths on a Good (4) track in a time of 1:35.80.
Who won the 2024 Railway Stakes?
Port Lockroy won the 2024 Railway Stakes as a $9.00 chance. It was the first win for trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald.
Who won the 2023 Railway Stakes?
Bustler won the 2023 Railway Stakes at $9. Trainer Neville Parnham and jockey Steve Parnham combined for a famous family win.
Who won the 2022 Railway Stakes?
Trix of the Trade won the 2022 Railway Stakes as a $5 chance at Ladbrokes. It made it nine consecutive Railway Stakes winners to carry 53.5kg or less.
What horse holds the Railway Stakes record time?
Marwong won the 1988 Railway Stakes in a record time of 1:33.73 for trainer Gavin Murphy and jockey Simon Marshall.
Which jockey has the most Railway Stakes wins?
William Pike has six Railway Stakes wins, with the latest coming in 2025 with Watch Me Rock. He also won four consecutive from 2018-2021.
Which trainer has the most Railway Stakes wins?
Grant and Alana Williams have five Railway Stakes wins. They scored four consecutive wins from 2018-2021, and Grant Williams won in 2014 as a solo trainer. They secured their fifth in 2025 with Watch Me Rock.
How can I bet on the Railway Stakes?
Bet on the Railway Stakes with Ladbrokes. It has everything you need to place your Railway Stakes bets, including win, place, exotics, futures, and more.
What is Railway Stakes futures betting?
Railway Stakes futures betting is when punters bet on the race before the final field is released. Futures odds are available in the months leading up to the race, where punters find excellent value.
How do I watch the Railway Stakes live?
You can watch the Railway Stakes live on Ladbrokes. Other options are available, including SkyRacing.
How do I buy Railway Stakes tickets?
Tickets for the Railway Stakes are available at perthracing.com.au, which includes live entertainment.
What is the Railway Stakes dress code?
The Railway Stakes has a smart dress code. For more info, head to perthracing.com.au.
How do I bet on the 2025 Railway Stakes?
Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android apps with Ladbrokes.
The first step is to create an account at ladbrokes.com.au. The process is quick and easy!
Once you've created your account you can make a deposit via credit card, or any other of our secure payment methods. Next up, head to the racing page and find the race and runner that's right for you.
Which horse will win the 2025 Railway Stakes?
The best way to pick which horse will win the Railway Stakes is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight the horse will carry (among other factors). Check out ladbrokes.com.au in the lead up to the race for full form information.