The Fred Kersley-trained Grand Nirvana is rated the best of the locals to repel the strong eastern states challenge in Saturday's $1 million Railway Stakes at Ascot.
The Scenic gelding was far from disgraced when 2-1/4 length eighth as a three-year-old to Gilded Venom in the 1600m Group One feature last year and Kersley believes he is far better equipped to measure up 12 months down the track.
"It probably wasn't good for the horse, he was still very juvenile. He gave a reasonably good account of himself on that occasion but was found wanting and didn't have a good trip either," said Kersley who won the Railway with star galloper Northerly in 2000.
"He's come back a much more seasoned horse obviously this time in and I think he'll give a good account of himself."
Grand Nirvana won the HG Bolton Stakes (1200m), the Group Three Roma Cup (1200m) and the Belmont Guineas (1600m) during the winter and from three starts this spring has been placed at his last two.
He followed a third to Kasabian and Elliotto in the Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) with another third to Elliotto and Colour Correct in the Group Three RJ Peters Stakes (1500m).
"He's one of the better horses. He's always taken on the best, throughout his career he's raced at the top level and performed very well," Kersley said.
Daniel Staeck will ride Grand Nirvana who Kersley says is in very well at the weights with 52kg.
"This is a very open race though. Trying to line them up with the east coast horses is very difficult, but I think he's one of the better locals," he said.
Kersley rated the Neville Parnham-trained Elliotto as one of the better chances.
Parnham, who has won the past 11 trainers' premierships in Perth, has two hopes to land the first Group One victory of his career with Elliotto and former Woodlands Stud Syndicate-owned seven-year-old Tarzi who was beaten a short head when runner-up to Idyllic Prince in the Group Two Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) earlier this month.
Colour Correct could give trainer Ross Price his third win in the race having won it with Welcome Knight (1992) and Medicine Kid (1990).
Gold Salute, who meets All American 2.5kg better for finishing 2-3/4 lengths astern of him when third in the Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, remains $3 favourite with TAB Sportsbet after being heavily backed on Thursday, ahead of All American ($6), Ortensia ($7), Grand Nirvana ($8) with Sniper's Bullet next at $14.
Tarzi is at $15 while Elliotto is $18 and Colour Correct at $31.
