Races

Runner by Runner: Winterbottom Stakes

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

1. Trekking (58.5kg)

Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: William Pike
Barrier: 11

Genuine Group 1 commodity, winner of a Group 1 Goodwood (1200), Group 1 Stradbroke (1400) and Group 2 Schillaci (1100) as well as placed in this season’s Group 1 Moir (1000) and Manikato (1200). Went around favourite in the 2019 Winterbottom Stakes when running fourth and looks to be in super order with his efforts in the Moir, Everest and Manikato. Trialled under new rider William Pike on Monday at Belmont and looked in impeccable order. He looks awfully hard to toss in this year’s Winterbottom but the double digit barrier gives the locals a sniff.

2. Rock Magic (58.5kg)

Trainer: Chris & Michael Gangemi
Jockey: Jarrad Noske
Barrier: 2

The old Rock Star and his best mate JJ Noske have another crack at winning an elusive Winterbottom Stakes. Arrived in WA at Team Gangemi in June 2014 as a m71 and since then has won 3x 72+, 3x Listed and 6x Group 3 races soaring to a career high m111 rating. He has run in four Winterbottom Stakes (2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019) finishing 3rd on two occasions. Would be one of the best stories in WA (world) racing if Rock Magic could get up to win a Group 1. Go well you deadest legend.

3. Malibu Style (58.5kg)

Trainer: Neville Parnham
Jockey: Peter Hall
Barrier: 6

Three top quality veterans joining forces: Malibu Style, Peter Hall and Neville Parnham. Malibu Style has amassed over $1 million in stake money over an illustrious career spanning over 6 years and three States. Has been a marvel over the time but the two runs back this campaign suggest the tank is almost empty. Would need to turn the clock back at least 12 months to become a legitimate winning chance.

4. Valour Road (58.5kg)

Trainer: Simon Miller
Jockey: Mitchell Pateman
Barrier: 3

Huge pick up ride for Mitchell Pateman, giving him a sniff at Group 1 success aboard potentially Simon Miller’s #1 seed. Won the Prince of Wales on the last day in October when sitting deep the trip and getting the better of Mervyn before holding out Essential Spice, Rock Magic and Stageman. Much better run than it looks last start in the Colonel Reeves and if Pateman gives him a similar steer to that of Miss Frost from the Jungle Mist he’s more than just a blowout chance. Wonder if Pateman salutes the barrier draw? Does everything else.

5. Durendal (58.5kg)

Trainer: Chris & Michael Gangemi
Jockey: Shaun O’Donnell
Barrier: 1

Has only won two races in Western Australia since arriving back in the summer of 2016 but placed in Listed and Group Grade a remarkable 13 times in that period. Did run a cheeky third in the Winterbottom of 2017 but that was probably at the peak of his powers. Hard to see him winning the race but he is the kind of horse who can bob up and finish in the money at cricket score odds on his day.

6. Vital Silver (58.5kg)

Trainer: Daniel & Ben Pearce
Jockey: Joseph Azzopardi
Barrier: 8

Group 1 Placed in the 2019 Manikato and 2019 Winterbottom Stakes when second on both occasions. High pressure races are his forte and he should get conditions to suit on the weekend. If he can draw a gate to settle in the first three or four without doing any work early, then he will likely look the winner turning for home. Proven at Weight For Age, best kept fresh and could be somewhat forgotten by punters. If Condor Heroes gains a start it only improves his chances.

7. Red Can Man (58.5kg)

Trainer: Steve Wolfe
Jockey: Shaun McGruddy
Barrier: 5

Surprisingly makes the rare Railway Stakes, Winterbottom Stakes back-up for the inform Steve Wolfe/Shaun McGruddy combination. Last week Steve Wolfe produced Champion Fillies winner Watch Me Dance 7 days later to win the WA Guineas and looks to repeat the dose with Red Can Man. Brave on speed effort last weekend and the harder they go the better for Red Can Man. Doesn’t have the same turn of foot as many of his sprinting rivals but they don’t have his toughness. Real X-Factor horse and has the gate to play a part.

8. Stageman (58.5kg)

Trainer: Adam Durrant
Jockey: Patrick Carbery
Barrier: 9

Polarizing galloper when it comes to punters loyalty. Has missed away at his last three starts (Crawford Stakes, Prince of Wales and Colonel Reeves) and now has a new pilot after William Pike was not interested in the ride and Clint Johnston-Porter got suspended at a midweek Ascot meeting. He was climbing all over them in the 2019 Winterbottom and arguably should have gone very close. Is clearly flying but if he misses the start he surely couldn’t win from last at Weight For Age?

9. Carocapo (58.5kg)

Trainer: Jim Taylor
Jockey: Jason Brown
Barrier: 13

Brings completely foreign form lines to the race having won a 78+ ratings race last weekend. Jimmy Taylor looks to have this injury riddled 7-year-old as close to 100% fitness and soundness as possible and he ran them ragged last Saturday. Is drawn gate 1 in the 78+ so potential to be withdrawn to run in the easier race given the barrier draw.

10. Laverrod (58.5kg)

Trainer: Sean & Jake Casey
Jockey: Peter Knuckey
Barrier: 15

Much like Red Can Man and Carocapo will be on the 7 day back up from yet another alternate form reference, the Carbine Club Stakes. Loomed like it was over at the 300 but was run down by Neufbosc and Serenity Bay. That doesn’t look strong enough form to win a Winterbottom. Barrier makes his task nigh impossible.

11. Mankind (58.5kg)

Trainer: Hayden Ballantyne
Jockey: Jade McNaught
Barrier: 16

This former Bob & Sandra Peters gelding gives rookie trainer and former Fremantle Docker Hayden Ballantyne his first Group 1 runner. Got conditions to suit in the Colonel Reeves as a noted wet track specialist and was accordingly specked in the market (61 into 31) but couldn’t get within 4.5L of Celebrity Queen, Stageman or Indian Pacific. Likely to jump close to 300-1.

12. Indian Pacific (58.5kg)

Trainer: Neville Parnham
Jockey: Brad Parnham
Barrier: 4

Has always been touted by Hall of Fame trainer Neville Parnham as a Group 1 horse. Broke his maiden less than 12 months ago on 18 December 2019 and has really come of age in the last 2 months. First-up winner in the Crawford Stakes when plunged in betting ($6 into $2.70) and then again was the target of massive money when narrowly defeated after doing all the work in the Colonel Reeves when gunned down late by Celebrity Queen. Big winner at the barrier draw.

13. Elite Street (58.5kg)

Trainer: Daniel Morton
Jockey: Brad Rawiller
Barrier: 12

Has raced 8 times for 5 victories but was subsequently disqualified from a 3-year-old win owing to a positive swab. Burst onto the scene with back to back 72+ wins this campaign and will sneak into the field. Regular riders Chris and Brad Parnham elect to take other rides (Elite Street and Celebrity Queen) so travelling hoop Brad Rawiller, who is no stranger to Group 1 success, picks up the ride. Likely to get back in the field but can sustain a run from the 600.

14. Flirtini (56.5kg)

Trainer: Simon Miller
Jockey: Paul Harvey
Barrier: 17

Went into last year’s Winterbottom Stakes as a $7 chance and ran fifth beaten 3.2L but did clock some incredible late splits, including the fastest last 1000, 800, 600, 400 & 200 of the race and the fastest last 200 of the meeting in a blistering 11.04. Was in white hot form going into last year’s Winterbottom fourth up in the preparation. This year goes in second-up off a run on a Heavy8 when spinning the wheels throughout. Not an ideal preparation.

15. Essential Spice (56.5kg)

Trainer: Daniel & Ben Pearce
Jockey: Lucy Warwick
Barrier: 14

Has never won a race beyond 1000m in her career. She is going super at the minute, beaten 0.2L in the Prince of Wales and one of the runs of the race in the Colonel Reeves but they were at 1000 and 1100. Weight For Age doesn’t suit her, 1200m isn’t her go, natural backmarker, she has all the hall marks of drifting uncontrollably in the market.

16. Celebrity Queen (56.5kg)

Trainer: Grant & Alana Williams
Jockey: Chris Parnham
Barrier: 10

Promising 4-year-old mare with an exciting turn of foot. Winner of 6 of her 10 races including last start in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves when beating home Winterbottom rivals Stageman, Indian Pacific, Essential Spice, Rock Magic, Durendal, Valour Road, Condor Heroes and Flirtini. Progressive, lightly raced and can ping off a soft run. 2020 Winterbottom might be a season too early for her but she can’t be fully discounted. Should get in with speed drawn underneath.

17. Condor Heroes (58.5kg) – EMG 1

Trainer: Chris & Michael Gangemi
Jockey: Craig Staples
Barrier: 7

Surprise acceptor in the race as a m81 rater who has only won 2x 66+ ratings races in WA beating home State Attorney and Stable Secret. Is enigmatic and is an excitement machine with the way he runs his races but at 1200m at WFA in Group 1 company he does look outclassed. Likely to gain a start if one of the roughies drawn wide (Carocapo/Mankind) decide to withdraw.

SELECTION: Trekking

The Victorian raider takes on 15 Western Australian opponents but with a lot of them either racing below their best or in the twilight of their careers it’s very hard to see him being denied. William Pike abandons the Cerise and White to ride, has returned in super form, looks to have settled in perfectly and realistically should be closer to even money. If there is some value to be found or for those parochial Sandgropers, Vital Silver does look to have snuck under the radar and is proven at Group 1 and WFA level.

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