The Filly That Can Capture The Railway

Friday, 24 January 2025 by Jason Tan

The Filly That Can Capture The Railway

Ellerslie’s Group 1 Railway Sprint promises fireworks, and ALABAMA LASS heads the market with all the credentials of a rightful favourite. But don’t sleep on CAPTURED BY LOVE, the Te Akau-trained filly who could spoil the party with the right race shape.

Prepared by the powerful Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson team, CAPTURED BY LOVE has a knack for stepping up on the big stage. While her HorseTorque ratings are just shy of Alabama Lass’s over 1200m, the margin isn’t significant, and under the Set Weights and Penalties (SW&P) conditions, as a Group 1 winner already (albeit against her own age and sex) she’s weighted to strike again.

Craig Williams is renowned for his timing and tactical nous, and his ability to keep her out of the early pressure cooker could prove decisive. The Railway Sprint is expected to feature a strong early tempo, with speed horses like BABYLON BERLIN and CROCETTI likely to ensure ALABAMA LASS works hard up front. If they don’t, then the race might be over.

If they do, then CAPTURED BY LOVE will be advantaged by sitting back and biding her time. With Ellerslie’s long straight offering ample room for a swooping finish, Williams can have her in clear air and angle her down the centre of the track, hoping to time her run to perfection. 

The Te Akau filly has shown enough brilliance, and with the stable’s uncanny ability to peak their horses for Group 1 assignments and on this very night, she’s primed to run in the frame.

It has been a while since Bounding won the Railway in 2014 as a three-year-old filly, but on the race’s new World Pool date, we might see one get it done again this year. The market says ALABAMA LASS and she’s a fair price, but the each-way punt (1 x 3), might just be CAPTURED BY LOVE.

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Saturday will see the Karaka Millions meeting run at Ellerslie with the G1 Railway added to make it a ripping six race card. The last three races will be with the WORLD POOL operating. Two earlier meetings in NZ will be hosted by Riccarton and Whanganui.

Check out HorseTorque NZ for full analysis of all meetings, including race comments for Ellerslie

My Railway selection is Race 6: #11 CAPTURED BY LOVE (Each-way 1 x 3, rated $6.00)

My Best Bet at ELLERSLIE is Race 1: #1 POETIC CHAMPION (WIN, rated $2.20)

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