Kersley Jr back to chase Railway glory in Perth

PERTH – Jockey Fred Kersley Jr has put a firm target on one of Western Australia’s (WA) most iconic races in a bid to match his legendary namesake grandfather, by winning the A$1.5 million (S$1.27 million) Group 1 Railway Stakes (1,600m) at Ascot on Nov 22.

The young hoop, who has been based in Victoria for the past eight years after starting his career in WA, is booked to ride the Grant and Alana Williams-prepared mare Storyville for the event.

The Kersley name is already etched into the race’s history after his grandfather, also named Fred, trained heroic WA galloper Northerly to victory in 2000.

The older Kersley is a dual-code legend in WA, having previously carved out a stunning resume in harness racing before taking Australia’s biggest races by storm with the mighty Northerly.

“This will be my first ride in the Railway Stakes, which is special in itself,” said Kersley Jr.

“This race was also one of my grandfather’s first thoroughbred Group 1 wins, so it would be great if I could emulate that.

“I’m under no illusion though, these are hard races to win. It’s a special feat to get the opportunity to run in a race my grandfather won.”

The younger Kersley will draw on the “Fighting Tiger” moniker, earned by the great Northerly through his years of dominance in racing across Australia, when he meets a star-studded field headlined by the Michael Grantham-trained Cosmic Crusader.

He found a recent patch of form after winning the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final aboard Guerite at Flemington on Nov 6. The four-year-old mare is trained by WA trainer Lindsey Smith.

Kersley Jr hopes to carry the momentum westward and deliver a hometown triumph that would add to his family’s legacy in one of WA’s most notable races.

“It’ll be good for Storyville to get out to the mile,” he said.

“Grant and Alana wouldn’t be running it just to make up the numbers. Aided by a soft draw and good run, I think we’ll be playing a big part.”

A four-year-old daughter of Overshare, Storyville has won five from 14 starts, including her last win under top WA jockey William Pike in the Group 3 RJ Peter Stakes (1,500m) at Ascot on Nov 15.

Kersley Jr was born in Perth and moved to Victoria in 2017, but he still makes regular trips to WA to compete in some of the state’s biggest races, including the Perth Cup in 2023.

“I started my career in Perth and I’ve always tried to get over to ride whenever the opportunities have arisen,” he said. “It’ll be great to ride at Ascot in front of friends and family once again.”

Watching on will be his proud family, including Kersley Sr, who reflected on the memorable moment when veteran jockey Danny Miller piloted Northerly home in the same race 25 years ago.

“That was a very exciting day and the start of the Northerly story – his performance was outstanding,” said Kersley Sr.

“I’m excited for Fred to get the chance to win the Railway. Things have not always gone his way with injuries, so it’s a well-deserved opportunity for his perseverance.”

When asked if he could draw on anything from his successful Railway Stakes day experience to pass on to his grandson, Kersley Sr’s advice was to stay composed.

“Everyone in the same race has the same pressure. The race is there to be won, just ride the race as it unfolds,” he said.

The name Northerly is synonymous with WA racing, with the horse immortalised in the form of a bronze statue at Ascot’s entrance.

If Kersley Jr can pull off an underdog victory right in front of the place he grew up, Northerly Lodge – which sits in plain view behind Ascot’s 1,500m starting point – it would be a surreal full-circle moment.

“It’ll be a massive salute to Northerly Lodge if we get the win,” he said. RACING WA