Preview – Gr 1 Winterbottom Stakes

Looks the winner. Has superior speed and has won here. Will jump in front, charge across to lead and he races best when fresh. Has been given a let up since being beaten 4 lengths in The Everest and this race is about 6 lengths inferior.

Classy type who can go hard early. He has drawn immediately inside Overpass and that horse will clear him early. That puts him in a precarious spot, maybe even 3 wide. Is well up to these if he finds cover.

Tough old stager who may be a little past his best. Needs to lead to win. Has won 19 races and one at this level, but will be found wanting late here.

Is interesting. Will receive a terrific run just in behind the hot speed, probably 6th on the fence. He’s been crying out for this trip and can sprint hard late. Was beaten only a length in the $4 million Quokka here this trip in April finishing hard. Big show.

Resumes here and goes well fresh. Is well up to this level on his day. Has had two recent trials to get him ready and drawn well enough. Can sneak a place at big odds.

Terrible draw means he’ll have to drop to near the rear early. Has claims on best form but over the past 18 months he’s been inconsistent. Not keen.

Bad draw. Has the speed to come across and may have to do that using up valuable juice early. Saying that, he is very consistent and did win the Gr 3 Prince Of Wales on the pace in fast time last start over 1000m. Has claims.

Is ready to win. And what a reception he’ll get if he can carry Damien Oliver to a final Gr 1 win before he retires. Is 3rd up here, is cherry ripe and drawn perfectly. Should settle about 5th on the fence and if he gets a split as they turn he will take holding out.

Likes to lead and it will be hard to do that from this gate. Is trained here and is pretty smart but oddly in 8 starts this track has only ever won one race. On speed and weakened to miss a place in 1400m Gr 3 here last start. Better served at this shorter trip but draw will test. Does like it soft.

Former Sydney campaigner finding his legs in the west. But, this is Gr 1 company and he wasn’t up to that level in Sydney. Saying that, on debut out here was beaten just over 2 lengths last start over 1100m in Gr 3 and is better placed this trip. Can run on. Place show.

Should struggle in this. Has only raced well once in several starts this year and that was when he led and was narrowly beaten by Snowdome here in fast 1000m. This will test.

Always starts at big odds this grade and just below, that’s because he gets back, runs on but not hard enough to win. Will struggle late again.

Because of the draw she should run very well. Should find the box seat and is very fit. Beaten half a length by Red Can Man in Oct, then beaten 2 lengths by Snowdome and last start 2 weeks back, was 1.5 lengths behind Hot Zed. Place.

Handy mare and has drawn well so will be about 4th with cover early. But doesn’t have the class of a few of these late.

Smart 3YO thrust into the top grade here but should not be dismissed. Put up an incredible finish to beat the brilliant Oscar’s Fortune last start over 1200m in the Placid Ark. Came from 13th on bend here! Harder here but that type of finishing power makes him dangerous.

Is super smart having raced 5 times for 4 wins and last start was beaten a nostril by Ripcord in the $500,000 Placid Ark this trip here. This is harder but what is a bigger worry is that he’s drawn outside Overpass and he likes to lead. With Overpass drawn inside him he wont be able to and that may cause him to fold in the straight. That’s how I see it but he is very fast and is on the rise.

Is pretty smart and may be seen to advantage later in the carnival because he likes it longer than this trip. But, if he gains a start, he’ll drop back and he will be running on at big odds.

Can run on and was doing good work late when 2nd in slow time to Amber Glide in weaker Jungle Mist this track and trip. Not keen.