A look at the Kingston Town Classic

KINGSTON TOWN CLASSIC – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

* Group One, 1800m, $1,000,000, weight-for-age. Run at Ascot on Saturday, December 9, 4.50pm (AWST)

HISTORY

* The race was first run in 1976 and is named for Kingston Town, an Australian Racing Hall of Fame horse who won the race in 1982

* In 1999/2000 the race was run over 1600m and in 2003 it was 2000m

NOTABLE WINNERS

* Vo Rogue (1988), Better Loosen Up (1989), Niconero (2006 & 2008) and Playing God (2010-2011)

TALKING POINTS

* It’s the final Australian Group One race of the calendar year

* Favourite Black Heart Bart has firmed to $2.90 after drawing barrier one

* Second favourite It’s Somewhat ($5.50) has drawn barrier 11, and showed trainer James Cummings he was on target for the race by winning a 1200m trial at Belmont on November 27

* Three horses have won the race two years in a row – Summer Beau (1997-98), Old Comrade (2000-01), and Playing God (2010-11)

* The most successful trainer in the Kingston Town Classic is David Hayes, who has had three wins from 13 starters since 1983

* Paul Harvey is the top jockey since 1983, with four wins from 22 rides

* Gate 10 is the most successful barrier in the last 30 years with five wins

WHAT SOME OF THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING

“He’s really been targeted at this race for the entire campaign and we feel that he’s building up to his peak for this preparation” – It’s Somewhat’s trainer James Cummings

“After his last run in the spring he went straight up to Maldon and had five or six weeks up there in the deep sand and he just got sounder and sounder each week. By the time he came over here (WA) he was trotting out fantastic – Black Heart Bart’s trainer Darren Weir