Michael Gangemi is not certain if Notorious One can buck the odds and win Saturday’s G1 Furphy Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot, but it wouldn’t be a shock if he did.
Notorious One was no match for Western Empire in last year’s Railway, but certainly wasn’t out of his depth in the G1 event when a creditable fourth, beaten six lengths.
Notorious One went around in the 2021 Railway Stakes as a $19 hope after excellent seconds in the Farnley Stakes (1400m) and Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) respectively.
12-months further on and the narrative is somewhat a little different with Notorious One, at $51, ranked one of the outsiders in Saturday’s $1.5 million Railway Stakes.
The seven-year-old didn’t fire a shot in a disappointing winter campaign and has not saluted the judge and gone past the post first in four runs back this preparation.
Notorious One is laden with enormous potential, but doesn’t possess the attitude or mental maturity on race day to match his ability.
But if punters have lost trust in the Animal Kingdom gelding, co trainers Michael and his brother Chris Gangemi, have maintained the faith and haven’t ruled out a shock result.
Michael Gangemi doesn’t subscribe to Notorious One’s double figure market status or the theory that he’s out of contention to win the Railway Stakes (1600m).
“As crazy as it sounds, I’m confident we’ve got him going better than we did last year,” Gangemi told The Races WA.
“The other day (Lee Steere Stakes) he reeled off 33.80sec. for the last 600m.
“The start before (Asian Beau) he was climbing over Treasured Star’s heels and got beaten just over a length.
“He drops 6kg on his last start that was weight-for-age over 1400m.
“We are super excited going into the race this year, we’re really happy.
“We think he’s had a better prep than last year and he is capable of causing an upset.
“He can do anything on his day and is definitely the forgotten horse.
“He needs to have things go his way and be on his best behavior, but if he does, he is capable.
“That’s why he’s in race because he only has to produce that run just the once.”
Notorious One has drawn 10, Mauritian-born rider, Laqdar Ramoly has the mount.
Blinkers have been added to Notorious One’s gear.
The Gangemi brothers also believe high-priced yearling Samizdat will be at his best in the Carbine Club Of WA Stakes (1400m).
The seven-year-old was treated for bad ulcers after a winless campaign in the winter, but the stable expect big improvement.
Samizdat has won four from eight first-up starts and resumes after two solid trial hit outs.
Blinkers have been added to his race day gear. He is $41 with Tabtouch.
