Weir with chances in three states

Victoria’s premier trainer Darren Weir has never won a race in Sydney or Perth.

But he could tick off both milestones on the same day, with chances to win stakes races in three states on Saturday.

Weir will saddle up Stratum Star in the Group One Kingston Town Stakes (1800m) at Ascot in Perth while Rageese is one of two stable runners in stakes races at Rosehill in Sydney.

The stable is also well-represented at the Pakenham meeting in Victoria including Lord Van Percy and Auvray in the main event, the Listed $200,000 Pakenham Cup.

Rageese, who runs in Saturday’s Group Three Festival Stakes, was a race morning scratching from the Railway Stakes in Perth two weeks ago because of an untimely hoof issue.

“He was nearly right the next day,” Weir told Melbourne radio station RSN927 on Thursday.

“It was one of those things, the timing was terrible.

“Unfortunately he was lame on the Saturday morning but nearly 100 per cent on the Sunday morning.”

Banner error, could not find casino id "william-hill-sport"

Rageese was flown home to Victoria a few days later and attention turned to the Festival Stakes (1500m) in Sydney.

“He galloped on Tuesday morning and the team at Warrnambool said he went great,” Weir said.

“So hopefully he can run well in Sydney.”

Weir also has Refulgent in Saturday’s Listed ATC Cup at Rosehill.

Stratum Star is already a Group One winner of the 2015 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and headed west after a last-start second in the Sandown Stakes.

“I’m really happy with the horse,” Weir said.

“The barrier draw (1) is good so he gets his chance.”

Lord Van Percy has had three runs back from two years off the scene and hsa the Pakenham Cup and the Bagot Handicap on January 1 as targets.