Splitting the two Maher runners in the Railway at Ascot

The Railway Stakes takes place at Ascot over 1600m on Saturday.

Ciaron Maher Racing has two live hopes in Perth’s Group 1 mile race - favourite Light Infantry Man as well as Socks Nation.

Will Bourne, the stable’s head of bloodstock, tends to be drawn to Light Infantry Man who will be ridden by James McDonald from barrier 2 off the back a dominant win at Flemington on Oaks Day.

“The only excuse will be the hard track,” Bourne said on SENTrack.

“We got rain 20 minutes before the race (he won) the other day, soft 5, perfect conditions. He relaxed, which he hasn’t been doing in Australia, then finished off the race really well.

“The most important thing is him relaxing through the run.”

Bourne has split the Maher pair by giving Light Infantry Man the best chance of the two.

“Light Infantry has a lot more class,” he added,

Light Infantry Man, a last-start winner at Flemington, is currently the $4.2 favourite with Sportsbet while Socks Nation, who ran third in the Group 1 Empire Rose last time out, is priced at $16.

Prices correct at time of publishing.

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