Races

Runner by Runner: Winterbottom Stakes

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

1. Trekking (58.5kg)

Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Barrier: 4

Highly credentialed Group 1 winner carrying the famed Godolphin blue. Highest rated horse in the race and best suited at the weight for age conditions of the race. Has already landed a G1 Stradbroke and a G2 Schillaci in 2019 and most recent runs, third in the Everest and second in the Redzel, were both strong enough to win here. Drawn a plumb gate in 4 to settle midfield with cover. He looks the one.

2. Malaguerra (58.5kg)

Trainer: Vaughn Sigley
Jockey: Troy Turner
Barrier: 13

5th in the 2016 Winterbottom, 3rd in the 2018 Winterbottom. Coming out of a short term retirement in an attempt to resurrect his career as an 8 year old. Had one start in 2019 with Lindsey Smith and now prepared by Vaughn Sigley out of a big green paddock. 11 of his last 15 have been in G1 company and he would complete a fairy-tale return to racing if he got up.

3. Hey Doc (58.5kg)

Trainer: Tony & Calvin McEvoy
Jockey: Luke Currie
Barrier: 14

Winner of the 2016 Australian Guineas and 2017 G1 Manikato Stakes. After suffering a significant injury in September 2018, he spent exactly 14 months away from the track. Returned to racing a fortnight ago with a brave third in the Kevin Heffernan Stakes at Sandown when only run down in the shadows of the post. If he can get across from the gate he’ll run a mighty race.

4. Rock Magic (58.5kg)

Trainer: Chris Gangemi
Jockey: Jarrad Noske
Barrier: 1

First contested the Winterbottom Stakes in 2014 before running third in 2016 to Takedown and Shiedel, and fifth in 2017. An evergreen 10 year old at start 54 who has been mixing it with the best for the last 3 seasons. Draws gate 1 to box seat behind a hot speed, he would be one of the best Winterbottom stories in history. Third up this campaign after running in the Manikato and VRC Classic. Win, lose or draw Rocky will go down fighting.

5. Home Of The Brave (58.5kg)

Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Damian Lane
Barrier: 15

Looked the winner in the Heffernan Stakes when getting past Hey Doc in the final strides only to go under. In the words of Damien Lane ‘he won the race but lost the photo’. Has raced around the world and does his best work at 1400 and beyond. Goes into this sixth up in a campaign and while Damien Lane is riding like a man possessed he will be set a task from the gate.

6. Durendal (58.5kg)

Trainer: Chris Gangemi
Jockey: Brad Parnham
Barrier: 3

Racing below his best so far this preparation. Beaten 4L in the Prince of Wales before being beaten over 6L in the Colonel Reeves. Hard to see him turning the tables on Flirtini from those races but the barrier draw gives him a fighting chance to run into the minor end. Ran third in the 2017 Winterbottom but is not currently in that same vein of form.

7. Viridine (58.5kg)

Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Damien Oliver
Barrier: 7

According to the market is the third elect from a Godolphin perspective but looks a live hope of delivering Damien Oliver back to back Winterbottom Stakes victories. Was far from disgraced in the Schillaci behind Trekking and at his most recent was dropped back into Listed Grade for a soft kill. Definitely a blow-out chance.

8. Valour Road (58.5kg)

Trainer: Simon A Miller
Jockey: Chris Parnham
Barrier: 9

Lightly raced 4 year old who scored a Pinjarra Magic Millions, Karrakatta Plate double as a 2 year old. Ran as a 3 year old in last year’s Winterbottom Stakes with 54.5 and was luckless in the run, stiff not to finish on the heels of the place getters. Only the one start this preparation in the Prince of Wales before being scratched from the Colonel Reeves with the stable electing to trial rather than risk a gut-buster from a wide draw. Likely to jump double figures by the time they race and Parnham has options from the gate.

9. Endless Drama (58.5kg)

Trainer: Tony Pike
Jockey: Leith Innes
Barrier: 2

Well-travelled 8 year old who has raced in 4 different countries and will make WA his fourth Australian state. Most recent runs were in New Zealand. Won the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate beating Te Akau Shark in August. Goes into this fresh almost 3 months between runs. Draws a gate but could find a few of these a little slick at 1200m.

10. Vital Silver (58.5kg)

Trainer: Daniel & Ben Pearce
Jockey: Ben Melham
Barrier: 6

This time last year he won a 62+ No Metro Win 1400 at Ascot first-up. Has certainly come a long way in the last 12 months and shot into Winterbottom Stakes contention with a massive effort in the Gilgai at Flemington before backing it up with a second placing in the G1 Manikato Stakes. The big grey is thriving on high pressure racing and should get those conditions on Saturday. Not without a chance, and one of the best local hopes.

11. Spirit Of Valor (58.5kg)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: Steven Parnham
Barrier: 11

Had a wonderful 2018 when coming across to Australia running second in the Schillaci, second in the Manikato and sixth beaten under 3L in the VRC Classic. Has been disappointing and well below his best this preparation racing in Listed company and only running moderate races. Would need to turn his form around drastically and goes around at a big price.

12. Stageman (58.5kg)

Trainer: Adam Durrant
Jockey: William Pike
Barrier: 10

Raced through the later winter months and into spring and summer, having already notched up 11 runs this campaign. Ultimately is only a three time 70+ ratings winner who is not well suited at weight for age and draws a horror alley. Consistently running big races and better suited at 1200m but will need luck (or another patent Pike Peach).

13. Flirtini (56.5kg)

Trainer: Simon A Miller
Jockey: Paul Harvey
Barrier: 12

4 year old mare who is absolutely flying this campaign. Always showed above average ability and continually ran into Arcadia Queen and Lady Cosmology in her 3 year old season. Winner of the traditional lead up feature sprints: the Prince of Wales and Colonel Reeves Stakes. Has gone to a new level since being ridden cold and provided she can get a tow into the race her electric turn of foot will take her a long way.

14. Misty Metal (56.5kg)

Trainer: Robert & Todd Harvey
Jockey: Shaun McGruddy
Barrier: 8

Speedy mare who is currently doing a few things wrong. Uncharacteristically slow out of the gates at trials and first-up in the Prince of Wales when missing away. Fired out of the gates in the Colonel Reeves to set a blistering first 800m before hitting the wall at the furlong. Reunites with regular rider Shaun McGruddy who has guided her to 6 of her 10 career victories. Needs to improve to be a winning chance but should give cheek.

15. Dubious (53.5kg)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: Craig Williams
Barrier: 5

3-year-old Not A Single Doubt colt taking on the older and far more credentialed horses. Winner of the G2 Champagne Classic in May who is coming into this off a 4L defeat in the Blue Sapphire Stakes at G3 level at Caulfield. Hard to recommend him off that run and doesn’t look to have the fire power of his opposition.

Selection: Trekking

The highest rated, best suited at WFA conditions, best drawn horse in the race. Maps to enjoy whatever type of run Kerrin McEvoy wants him to get (likely one out and three back) and if he can reproduce his Schillaci, Everest or Redzel Stakes run he should give team Godolphin their first WA Group 1 success. $3.40 pre-barrier draw, $3 post-barrier draw and likely jumps closer to $2.50.

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