Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes: Best bet and every runner previewed

The Winterbottom Stakes is one of Western Australia’s premier races, and the second of three Group 1 races held in Perth in consecutive weeks in November and December. The race is run over 1200 metres with current prizemoney of $1.5 million.

Winterbottom Stakes 2022: Alfie’s preview

Speed: The pace will be fast here. Indian Pacific, Red Can Man and Massimo have tough draws but will try and cross. Rothfire will push forward. Vilana can sit off the tempo and Elite Street will be back in the field.

Winterbottom Stakes: Runner-by-runner

Prices courtesy of TopSport at time of publication.

1 Rothfire [$5.50] is a question mark for mine since he had surgery. Is he now better over 1000m?

2 Vilana [$5.50] needs to take the step up to Group 1 level here, but the Jamie Kah booking is a big plus.

4 Elite Street [$6.00] will be back in the run, but the pace will be on here so he’s certainly a chance.

13 Miss Conteki [$10] is a 1000m horse for mine – I have a question mark at the 1200m.

14 This’ll Testya [$10] is another one needing to step up to Group 1 level here – she’s simply not yet proven at the level.

3 Paulele [$12] has been at Group 1 level his past two starts – in the Manikato and Champions Sprint – and has failed at both.

The greatest ever?

Relive Takeover Target vs Apache Cat in the 2008 Winterbottom Stakes…🔥 pic.twitter.com/zJSRUaGIN9

— TABtouch (@TAB_touch) November 23, 2020

5 The Astrologist [$12] is another who is fairly unproven at this level. His better ratings have been in lower class Group races.

16 My Bella Mae [$14] needs to take a big step in class to challenge here.

10 Beau Rossa [$20] is some sort of place chance at odds.

7 Red Can Man [$21] is not out of this but hasn’t had a win in quite a while now.

12 Kissonallforcheeks [$21] is a better horse over 1400m to 1600m for mine. I have a question mark at 1200m.

You can also listen to WA expert Cameron O’Brien’s podcast preview of the Group 1 WInterbottom Stakes right here… get the value runners, he gives us all his rated prices.

15 Sniparoochy [$26] has been great at Listed level, but this is tougher.

I don’t think the rest are going well enough to figure here: 6 Massimo [$34], 8 Stageman [$61], 9 Indian Pacific [$67], 11 Hot Zed [$81], 17 Titan Blinders [$101].

Betting strategy

Best bet Elite Street

I can’t say I have a heap of confidence here – this is a tough race to be betting into – but I have Elite Street on top. With the pace on he’s a good chance to get over the top of them. I love Rothfire but I just can’t him anywhere near the current price after the last couple of runs.

Good luck!