Global Weekly Preview: Long-term project for Perth repeat

Racing switches its emphasis globally in coming weeks, from East to West in Australia, and from all parts of the rest of the world to Japan and Hong Kong in the Far East.

Melbourne's Spring Carnival at Flemington was spectacularly successful, and the 33rd Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita, California, lived up to all expectations.

But now, there is a change of direction, literally. Australian racing's 'circus' heads to Perth, West Australia, where those on the G1 circuit will get more opportunity for a crack at some attractive prizemoney.

Ascot, the more prestigious of Perth's two metropolitan tracks, stages the G1 Railway Stakes, over 1,600m, on Saturday, and again Chris Waller, the successful Sydney-based trainer, has a strong chance of landing the big prize.

Waller will be relying on Good Project winning consecutive Railways -- and doing so off the back of three lack-lustre runs this preparation.

Form-followers will tell you this is still all possible. Waller is adept at selecting a long-range target and then producing his horse primed and ready on the day.

Good Project was beaten into 7th in the G1 Cantala Stakes at Flemington two weeks ago, but he still finished a respectable two and threequarter lengths from the winner.

It is worth noting that Good Project has won only one race in the past 12 months -- the 2015 Railway Stakes -- and it would be no surprise to see lightning strike twice.

Good Project has drawn attractively in gate 7 and will have the services of the accomplished Hugh Bowman.

But Waller also has a second string to his bow -- Mackintosh, who finished 3rd in the G1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick and 5th in the Cantala (ahead of Good Project) at Flemington.

Mackintosh has drawn off the track, in gate 16, and despite Damien Oliver taking the ride, he will face a big challenge from the wide draw.

Kawi, the top New Zealand galloper, has won 13 of his 27 starts. He recently finished an encouraging 4th in the G2 Lee Steere Stakes in Perth, so he should be well acclimatised in his new surroundings.

Balmont Girl, 3rd in last year's Railway, is always a chance in these big races, she is so classy.

Sha Tin also stage a very good card at the weekend, which will act as a stepping stone to the Hong Kong International Races on Dec 11.