Historical Analysis of the Winterbottom Stakes

WINTERBOTTOM STAKES - G1 1200m

After losing the Derby as a G1 race, Perth Racing was allocated the Winterbottom as a replacement and recent runnings suggest this is by far the better race anyway.

A quick look at the honour roll through the years shows winners like Raconteur, Romantic Dream, Asian Beau, Placid Ark, Barrosa Boy, Miss Andretti and the great Takeover Target who held off Apache Cat. Old Buffering kept the flag flying too.

PROFILING THE RACE

o With the alteration of the carnival, it has become more a focus of the sprinters, especially the Eastern Staters, and not a lead up to other events.

o Only a few roughies win it as you’d expect being a WFA race.

o Generally better to be near the speed at Ascot with the shortish run home.

o Some good winners went onto win G1s after this.

o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner - 5yo (3 times)

o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $7.80 (but $4.20 without Hadabeclorka)

o Breakdown of winners - 4 geldings & 6 mares

o Races that the winner ran in prior - Railway Stks (1), Darley Classic (2), Colonel Reeves Stks (2), Mumm Stks (1), Lee Steere Stks (1), Chatham Stks (1), Manikato Stakes (1), Spell (1)

RECENT WINNERS

2017 - VIDDORA 5m (I Am Invincible x Snow Flight) ($5)

Jockey: Joe Bowditch, Trainer: Lloyd Kennewell

Barrier: 7, Weight: 56.5kg, Gross Time: 1:10.06

Margin: 1.5L, Track: Good (4), Starters: 12

2nd: Fuhryk (56.5kg), 3rd: Durendal (58.5kg)

Review: Viddora had been running a lot of excellent races at the elite level without a win. The Sangster, Moir and Manikato were all top efforts charging late. Could she do that around the tight Ascot circuit?

Well courtesy of a great ride from Joe Bowditch, she was too fast late. Switched off midfield on the fence, he weaved her through without getting held up like she was in the Moir.

Once that turn of foot was unleashed, she was off and gone. The other favourites were back with her but couldn’t get a trail into the race. It was a deserved big race win.

2016 - TAKEDOWN 4g (Stratum x Apamea) ($9)

Jockey: Tim Clark, Trainer: Gary Moore

Barrier: 8, Weight: 58.5kg, Gross Time: 1:10.27

Margin: 0.2L, Track: Good (4), Starters: 12

2nd: Sheidel (56.5kg), 3rd: Rock Magic (58.5kg)

Review: In racing you see so much of the contrived and bland. Appearance and formality are considered trademarks and worthy. And then there is Gary Moore. His effervescence and demeanour can’t be bottled and nor should it.

He loves his horse and Takedown gave him his biggest win as a trainer. His rich family history only enhanced. Takedown worked outside the lead but took some riding. He is never a pretty ride but Tim Clark could get a broomstick home.

As Sheidel pinched a break he was in trouble but he persevered and ran over the top. They charged late but to no avail. Post-race Moore rattled home faster than the field to greet his horse 500m after the line. No one cared how long correct weight took.

2015 - BUFFERING 8g (Mossman x Action Annie) ($2.50 fav)

Jockey: Damian Browne, Trainer: Robert Heathcote

Barrier: 8, Weight: 58.5kg, Gross Time: 1:08.17

Margin: 1L, Track: Good (3), Starters: 15

2nd: Watermans Bay (58.5kg), 3rd: Fast ‘N’ Rocking (58.5kg)

Review: What a star. In his 50 starts he’d now raced in 31 G1 events, winning six of them and remember he lived/raced through the Black Caviar era. Coming off a very good Spring with a Moir win as well as a close run in the Darley Classic, Buffering ventured to Perth again to try and emulate his win in 2013.

Even though two years older, things actually went easier for him. He found the front relatively easily and even though running along was never pressured. Rob Heathcote said he was worried on the turn that he wasn’t further in front but in fact he just staved them off.

Would more international adventures await? Of the rest Watermans Bay was placed yet again showing consistency of performance.