History of the Winterbottom Stakes Posted on November 24, 2016 | Posted by Julio Santarelli BACKGROUND The Winterbottom Stakes has been staged since 1952 and is Western Australia’s premier sprint race run under weight-for-age conditions. The inaugural event was won by Raconteur over a distance of 1400m. Since 1993 the Winterbottom Stakes has been reduced to 1200m. The Winterbottom Stakes has enjoyed Group One status since 2001 when it was taken out by New South Wales galloper, Ortensia. Notable winners of the Winterbottom Stakes including Asian Beau, first dual winner Asteroid, Miss Andretti and Takeover Target. JOCKEY/TRAINER Eric Treffone holds the distinction of riding the inaugural Winterbottom Stakes winner on Raconteur. Over a decade late later he added a second trophy when as a trainer he prepared Watersan (1965) to victory. Soon after in 1966 Treffone’s brother, Reg Treffone, added his name to the Winterbottom Stakes honour roll following the victory of champion entire, Aquanita. Graeme Webster Snr also won the Winterbottom Stakes on two occasions. As a jockey he rode Starglow (1973) and Asian Beau (1979); as a trainer he won with Sir Tinka (1993). JOCKEY Damian Oliver and William Pike are the only riders in the 2016 renewal of the Winterbottom Stakes who have winning race experience. Pike won the first of two Winterbottom Stakes with Ellicorsam (2004) before partnering rank outsider, Hadabeclorka (2010). Oliver and Fred Kersley’s Marasco were successful in 2006. Glenn Smith, Peter Hall and Corey Brown have run placings. Apprentice Jake Casey, on Vega Magic, is competing in his first Group 1 event. TRAINER Alana Williams is looking for her second Winterbottom Stakes and first in partnership with, Grant Williams. The husband and wife team will pin their faith in State Solicitor and Battle Hero. Alana Williams first won the Winterbottom Stakes as a rider when she partnered Fair Alert (2001). David Hayes, now in partnership with son Ben Hayes and nephew Tom Dabernig, can join his father, Colin Hayes, who celebrated Winterbottom Stake’s success with Soldier Of Fortune (1981). Keen Array and former Perth sprinter, Sheidel, give David Hayes and his team a two-pronged attack. Hayes, Peter Gelagotis (Malaguerra), Joe Pride (Terravista) and Gary Moore (Takedown) represent the eastern states invaders who have taken out the Winterbottom in five of the eight previous years. FAVOURITES Malaguerra will look to retain the edge of favourites who since 2000 have won nine of the past 16 Winterbottom Stakes’ including four of the previous five: Buffering (2015-2013), Barakey (2012), Ortensia (2011). LEAD IN RACE Since 2000 six winners of the Winterbottom Stakes have won their lead up races and two were placed. Malaguerra, Vega Magic and State Solicitor were last start victors. Terravista and Rock Magic were runner-up. BARRIERS Malaguerra will look to extend the dominance of barrier one which has won the Winterbottom Stakes on seven occasions since 1966. Next pick are barriers two, three, five and eight which will hold Vega Magic, Rock Magic, Terravista and Takedown respectively. Regal Commander (7), State Solicitor (11) and Military Reign (12) start from the least successful barrier positions. GENDER Geldings, who comprise 10 of the 12 starters on Saturday, have won the Winterbottom Stakes on 25 occasions. Sheidel and Military Reign will fly the flag for mares who have won it 16 times. TRACK Sheidel, with nine from 10, has the best Ascot winning record of the 2016 Winterbottom Stakes entrants. Vega Magic has four wins from five starts, Regal Commander is four from 11 attempts and State Solicitor is unbeaten in two attempts at summer headquarters. DISTANCE Over 1200m State Solicitor has lost just once from six outings, Vega Magic has never been out of the money with seven wins and two placings from nine attempts, Malaguerra and First Among Equals are five from seven, Terravista has won five times from 11 starts at the sprint journey and Battle Hero is unbeaten in two starts.
Shayne Williams’ Saturday Greyhound Best Bets July 27, 2024 MANDURAH Race 1 No. 1 West On Madge Lightly raced daughter of Melbourne cup winner Koblenz, was very good winning off the 8 box last… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Kalgoorlie Preview July 26, 2024 RACE 1 MISS DE BEERS ran second to Kraken Time first-up and with that galloper going around favourite in a 3 year old 1400 on… Read More
Chris Pike’s Boomers Olympics Preview: Game 1 July 26, 2024 Game 1 v Spain (5pm WST Saturday 27th July) Coming off winning bronze in Tokyo, there’s plenty of spotlight on the Australian Boomers at the… Read More
Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 20 July 26, 2024 FRIDAY Carlton v Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium, 5.40pm Now would be a great time for Port Adelaide to display considerable starch defensively. They have never… Read More
Weekend Tipsters July 26, 2024 Caulfield Saturday Warren Huntly Quaddie 4 5 1 11 – 2 5 – 7 2 1 9 – 6 12 9 Best Bets 1-2 Dom… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Saturday Caulfield Preview July 26, 2024 Race 1 Rain forecast during the day could see the track downgraded from the likely early good rating. DOM quickened impressively on debut over this… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Friday Greyhound Best Bets July 26, 2024 MANDURAH Race 4 No. 4 Hinto What a marvel this dog is, age shall not weary them, rising 4 year old and probably in career… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Belmont Preview July 25, 2024 RACE 1 SUPERNATURAL is the full sister to sharp sprinter Supersession and has shown ability at trials. In her most recent Lark Hill heat the… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview July 25, 2024 RACE 1 Racing at Randwick on Saturday should be close to being run on a Good rated surface, wouldn’t that be nice. Good looking 2yo… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Doomben Preview July 25, 2024 RACE 1 Racing at Doomben kicks off with a 1350m 3yo. Nos.1, 2 & 5 all met here a fortnight back running the placings in… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Roebourne Preview July 25, 2024 RACE 1 DE LOVELY LAD had won two of his last three, one at Broome and one at Marble Bar and in between he has… Read More
Scott Embry’s Friday Broome Preview July 25, 2024 RACE 1 SQUILLIONAIRE is a last start winner (beating Ginger Jones) this track/distance/grade. She’s obviously had a set back as she comes into this 7… Read More