Track: Good 4 Weather: Fine

There are 12 runners for the 2024 Colonel Reeves Stakes and they are all geldings this year. There are two 4YOs, four 5YOs, two 6YOs and four 7YOs. Three runners had their last start in the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes over 1000m at Ascot on 2nd November (won by Bravo Centurion) and two had their last start in a BM 78+ Handicap over 1200m at Ascot on 26th October (won by Almighty Class) while the rest came via different races. Five are resuming from a spell. Two runners are sired by Playing God. Trainer Neville Parnham has 2 runners.

The early favourite is Western Empire who is first-up from a 22 week spell and has 6 wins and 5 places from 12 runs at the track. Second favourite is Almighty Class who has won both his starts this campaign by clear margins. Third favourite is Rope Them In who has won 6 of his 14 starts and is going well this campaign. Snowdome resumes after 34 weeks and goes well first-up, while Saloon Bar was runner-up in the Prince Of Wales. The other runners are currently $13 or longer.

1. Western Empire (1)

First-up from a 22 week spell and has 6 wins and 5 places from 12 runs at the track. He already has 3 Group 3 races to his name and won the Group 1 Railway Stakes back in 2021. He has won both recent trials and rates highly.

2. Hot Zed (12)

Won this race last year. He has the widest barrier this time and is first-up from a 30 week spell. Unlikely.

3. Man Crush (8)

Had 4 good runs at Belmont before running 7th in the Listed Hannans Handicap over 1400m at Kalgoorlie on 2nd October. Has had a 6 week let-up and can surprise.

4. Snowdome (6)

One of 2 runners for Neville Parnham (the other is Ghost Who Walks). He resumes after 34 weeks and goes well first-up. In the mix.

5. Ghost Who Walks (7)

Was runner-up in this race last year. Hasn’t raced since 31st August and hasn’t won for 45 weeks. Unlikely.

6. Boots Like Bruce (3)

Last start he ran 4th in the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes over 1000m at Ascot on 2nd November. Prior to that he won 4 in a row at Belmont, but only has only one win at Ascot from 5 runs here. Place chance.​

7. Saloon Bar (11)

Was runner-up in the Prince Of Wales last start and runner-up in the Listed R.S. Crawford Stakes the start before. One of the chances.

8. Almighty Class (9)

One of 2 runners sired by Playing God (the other is Rope Them In). He has won both his starts this campaign by clear margins and should be in the finish.

a BM 78+ Handicap over 1200m at Ascot on 26th October

9. Crippalenko (5)

Ran 3rd in the Prince Of Wales after wins in 2 benchmark races. Don’t dismiss.

10. Rope Them In (10)

Has won 6 of his 14 starts and is going well this campaign. Don’t dismiss.

11. Capital Flight (4)

Has 4 places from 8 runs this preparation. Looks safely held.

12. Rockin’ Rupert (2)

At the end of last campaign he won 2 in a row at Belmont. Returns from a 20 week spell and has trialled well. Not the worst.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo Jackson’s Tips
1 Western Empire
8 Almighty Class
7 Saloon Bar
10 Rope Them In

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	10 Rope Them In
2nd	1 Western Empire	0.78 length
3rd	7 Saloon Bar	2.29 lengths
4th	8 Almighty Class	3.07 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

There were no scratchings.