Racing: Grand Nirvana best local for Railway

MELBOURNE: The Fred Kersley-trained Grand Nirvana is rated the best of the locals to repel the strong eastern states challenge in today's A$1 million ($1.27 million) Railway Stakes at Ascot, Perth.

The Scenic gelding was far from disgraced when 2 lengths 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.

Gold Salute remains A$3 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of All American (A$6), Ortensia (A$7), Grand Nirvana (A$8) with Sniper's Bullet next at A$14. Tarzi is at A$15 while Elliotto is A$18 and Colour Correct at A$31.

- AAP