Winterbottom Stakes 2017 race preview

The Perth carnival continues this Saturday with the running of the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes, a weight-for-age contest run over 1200m.

 Race Track Traits

Ascot has one of the smaller straights in the country, just 294 metres from the turn to the winning post, making it difficult for back markers to make ground in the run for home. For that reason, horses starting from inside barriers with early speed are well positioned especially over shorter distances.

 

Market Movers

Not a lot of movement early in this market with a trickle of money coming for Whispering Brook, in 5 points from her opening price to be $16 at midday on Friday.

Key Runners

#8 State Solicitor 2.90 -> 3.10

Third run this campaign after two impressive wins. Was very dominant first-up then came out of the ground when seeing daylight late in the G3 Colonel Reeves. Go well.

 

#9 Viddora 4.20

Raced well against Australia’s elite sprinters in the Moir and the Manikato, coming home well from backward positions in both races. Top contender.

 

#1 Rock Magic 6 -> 7.50

Can make a case for this bloke. Took the inferior inside run in the Darley down the Flemington straight. Before that didn’t get much luck in the Manikato at the Valley. Ran a strong fourth behind She Will Reign in the Moir first-up. Solid form at the track and can figure.

 

#2 Santa Ana Lane 7.5 ->  8

Ticks a few boxes here. Comes off a cracking win in the G1 Rupert Clarke over 1400m. Finished third 4.5 lengths to Vega Magic at this recent first-up appearance. The tests are weight-for-age and the pattern but don’t discount.

 

Of the others...

Dainty Tess looks a good each-way chance on the back of her 0.75 lengths run behind State Solicitor last start. Meets him 2.5kg better here.

Whispering Brook wasn’t far away in the same race. She is likely to lead here, and should be rock hard fit. Some chance of holding on.

Caipirinha also put in a solid effort against the favourite after racing wide. Some chance.

 

Selections

1st  Viddora - has the class to overcome the slight distance challenge. 

2nd  State Solicitor

3rd  Dainty Tess