Winterbottom Stakes | WishBet

Winterbottom Stakes 2023

Distance: 1200m | Conditions: WFA| Rail Position: True | Track Condition: Good 4

The Winterbottom Stakes is the feature for Day Three of The Pinnacles, with the speedsters taking on 1200m sprint at Ascot Racecourse. Everest contender Overpass headlines an open field full of talented locals. Does he just win?

SPEED MAP

Expecting fireworks in the first 200m here. Overpass, Man Crush, Savatoxl and Oscar’s Fortune will all be vowing for the lead and with most drawing the carpark we can assure the tempo will be solid. Snowdome could also try take them on. Red Can Man can Hot Zed can find themselves in behind the lead with Triple Missile not too far away either.

KEY RUNNERS

1: Overpass (11)

It’s pretty simple for Overpass. If he brings his best, he wins. Had plenty of backers in the Everest but he didn’t handle the early pressure and was found out late. Still, the Everest is the premium form race and he can bounce back here in a much weaker race, albeit a Group 1. The one to beat.

🏆THE EVEREST
1200m – $20.000.000
🇦🇺 Randwick
Think About It (AUS)
(5G So You Think (NZ) x Tiare by Flying Spur)
J : Sam Clipperton
T : Joseph Pride
O : Proven Thoroughbreds (Mgr: A Walter), B McDonald, R Miller..pic.twitter.com/oons5wpF9X
— 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙𝙍𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 (@WorldRacing1) October 14, 2023

2: Red Can Man (10)

Been a great servant to WA Racing for a long time and deserves another crack at this. Honest as they come and did win the Crawford first-up but he looked tested in this company.

3: Savatoxl (8)

Group 1 winner who maps to get a nice run here up on speed. Freshened for this which will have him at his best but will need to wind back the clock to find himself in the finish. Will be looking elsewhere.

4: Hot Zed (2)

One of the strongest of the local chances evident in his Colonel Reeves win. Was massive in this last year and was right there with Overpass and Amelia’s Jewel in the Quokka back in April. Will need some luck from the barrier but he can’t figure in the money again.

5: Resortman (9)

Resumes here which will be a tough ask in itself considering it’s a Group 1 and his trials have been pretty plain. Does have form around Amelia’s Jewel from last prep, but looks better suited over 1400m in a few weeks time. Happy to watch him here.

6: Laverrod (15)

Was a good effort considering the circumstances in the Colonel Reeves. Will likely find himself in a similar from the gate here and I doubt he’s still got the quality to catch the likes of Overpass.

7: Snowdome (18)

Nice on-pace win against the breeze in the G3 Prince of Wales but was suited by the track pattern. Is racing well but it’s hard to know where he’ll end up in the run after drawing the carpark. The map is a major concern so I’m happy to let him go around at the current quote.

8: Triple Missile (1)

This bloke looks Overpass’s main danger. Is no stranger to WA racing where he kicked off his career and did so very successfully (7:4:1:0 at the track). Returns with some strong performances in some big races in the East, most recently the Gilgai where he closed off strongly behind Star Patrol. Can be the fairytale in Olly’s farwell tour.

9: Phanta (17)

Goes well fresh but lacks the class to match it with these. Barrier cemented his fate.

10: Clemenceau (14)

Been a slow start to life in WA but is an interesting runner who may have been slightly overlooked here. Is hard to catch but does carry some handy form and if he’s right, he could strike at a price. Gate will make things hard.

11: Man Crush (12)

Tough on pacer as he showed in the Prince of Wales. Walked out of the gates in the Colonel Reeves latest so happy to forgive there. Can try get the cart across from Overpass inside him but doesn’t have the speed to match.

12: Go Forward (6)

Was unlucky in the Colonel Reeves and should’ve finished closer. Possesses a big turn of foot, maps to get the right run and could run a nice race. Doubt he’s up to Group 1 level though.

13: My Bella Mae (5)

Heavily supported in the Colonel Reeves last start and despite getting every chance, she did nothing. She’ll get a dream run again from 5 but she isn’t showing the same zip she had 12 months ago.

14: Flying Missile (3)

Maps to get the gun run but I think it’s wasted on her. Looks outclassed.

15: Ripcord (7)

First of the two three-year olds in this year’s Winterbottom and arrives off the back of the remarkable win in the Placid Ark. Was Winx like to the eye, but must concede he was set up by the tempo and track pattern on the day. Should get an easier run here and the speed to suit again. Big watch.

A 2YO stakes winner on debut, Ripcord takes flight again in the $500k Listed @TAB_touch Placid Ark Stakes over 1200m at Ascot.
By @widdenstud’s Written By, Ripcord was sold by Barador Stud & Phoenix Broodmare Farm to Luke Ferrie for $40,000 at the 2021 @mmsnippets National… pic.twitter.com/nClNrsOreP
— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) November 18, 2023

16: Oscar’s Fortune (13)

Huge effort in the Placid Ark only to be pipped on the line by Ripcord. Had plenty of excuses but continued to whack away and was arguably a better run than the winner. Drawn wide however and a Group 1 may be a bridge too far.