Western Empire set to launch in The Joey

Trainer Grant Williams has flagged the possible return of Western Empire in next week’s $200,000 Joey (1200m) at Ascot.

Grant Williams, along with wife Alana, trained Western Empire to win multiple blacktype races, including the 2021 WATC Derby (2400m) and Railway Stakes (1600m).

He was then transferred to trainer John Leek Jnr in Victoria before Williams purchased him for $150,000 in an Inglis online sale late last year.

Despite a string of underwhelming performances in Victoria, Williams said he was confident he had Western Empire back to his best ahead of his return in The Joey.

“I was pretty happy with the way Western Empire trialled last week and he has come through it pretty well,” Williams told TABradio.

“He’s still pretty good to have around.

“He’s a beast and he’s grown into a proper looking horse now.

“He’s probably not as smooth as he used to be, but he’s six and he’s had some hard racing.

“We’re pretty excited to get him back to the races.

“If I can get him back to 80 or 85 per cent of what he was before, that’s still going to clock up a few wins for him.”

Williams said Western Empire would likely have a short campaign through the Belmont winter season.

“We will just keep him at a shorter trip for two or three runs,” he said.

“He still races pretty keenly and even Willie (Pike) said that at trials.

“We will start him off in the 1200, then probably go to the Northam race (Northam Stakes) and then the normal Weight-For-Age races at Belmont.”

Williams also has Railway Stakes runner-up Alsephina set to join Western Empire when she returns in the Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) next month.

Fellow blacktype winner Keshi Boom, who trialled at Lark Hill on Monday, is likely to return to racing at the end of this month ahead of a possible tilt at June’s Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m).