It is the most exciting race in Perth every year, and we are set for another outstanding edition of the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
The bizarre year that has been 2020 means that just one interstate raider will line up in the 2020 Winterbottom Stakes field, and Trekking will start a clear favourite in the market.
Winterbottom Stakes – Winner
No. 1 Trekking – Bet Now: $2.25
Trekking is far and away the best horse in the field, and of course I have him on top of my Winterbottom Stakes tips for 2020.
The multiple Group 1 winner has been an outstanding horse for Godolphin for several seasons now, and he added The Goodwood to his record most notably in autumn this year.
He has so far had three starts this preparation, finishing second in both the Group 1 Moir and the Group 1 Manikato at The Valley, and toughing it out to the line for fourth in The Everest.
This is a decent drop in class from all of those contests, he has been kept up to the mark with a trial since arriving in the west, and Willy Pike takes the ride – I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Winterbottom Stakes – 2nd
No. 12 Indian Pacific – Bet Now: $7.50
Indian Pacific is ready to peak third-up in the Winterbottom Stakes, and he looks to be Trekking’s biggest danger on Saturday afternoon.
The Zoustar gelding hasn’t missed placing since making his debut and has recorded six wins and three minors during his nine-start career.
He put the writing on the wall with an eye-catching win in Listed Crawford Stakes when fresh, and he was last seen filling the minors of the Colonel Reeves.
I can barely split Indian Pacific and Stageman, but this horse boasts more upside, and that is the only reason that I have slotted him in second.
Winterbottom Stakes – 3rd
No. 8 Stageman – Bet Now: $11.00
Stageman is one of the better sprinters currently going around in Perth, and he shapes as a competitive chance in the Winterbottom Stakes.
The six-year-old son of Written Tycoon simply does not know how to run a bad race, and he has returned to the track this time in consistent form.
Having won the Listed Black Heart Bart Stakes in late September, Stageman has since finished third in the Crawford Stakes, fourth in the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes, and was last seen running a head second behind stable mate Celebrity Queen in the Colonel Reeves.
Winterbottom Stakes – 4th
No. 14 Flirtini – Bet Now: $26.00
She clearly needed the run when she finished down the order in the Colonel Reeves, but I’m expecting Flirtini to take big improvement into the Winterbottom Stakes on Saturday.
The five-year-old daughter of Artie Schiller has recorded five wins and further eight minors from her twenty career starts so far, and found form around some of Perth’s best horses last preparation, finishing second behind Fabergino in the Group 3 Northam Stakes most notably.
She’ll need some luck in running after drawing the outside barrier, but her best form is definitely good enough to see her into the finish of this race.
Winterbottom Stakes Suggested Bets
- 5 Units straight out #1 Trekking
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections above