Winterbottom Stakes – 2022

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a full field of 16 runners plus one emergency for the $1,500,000 Winterbottom Stakes. Five runners had their last start in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes over 1100m at Ascot on 12 November, three in the Group 1 Champions Sprint over 1200m at Flemington on 5 November and two in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes over 1400m on 5 November, while the rest came via different races. There are 10 geldings, 2 stallions, 4 mares and one filly. Trainers James Cummings, Daniel Morton and Chris & Michael Gangemi each have two runners.

The early favourite is Rothfire from the Robert Heathcote stable who won more prizemoney ($1.8 million) than any other runner. Second favouritism is currently shared between Vilana from the Godolphin Stable who won The Hunter at Newcastle last outing and Elite Street who has won 10 of his 20 starts, was 3rd in this race last year and won it the year before.

This’ll Testya was the winner of the Colonel Reeves. Paulele is a proven performer on soft going. Miss Conteki has won 2 of her 3 starts this campaign and has 11 wins from 17 starts. The Astrologist was less than a length behind the winner in the Champions Sprint, while My Bella Mae has only had 3 starts but is unbeaten. The other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Rothfire (3)

Trainer: Robert Heathcote
Jockey: Damien Oliver
This 5YO has won more prizemoney ($1.8 million) than any other runner. Six of his 8 wins were as a 2YO. Ran 2nd in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes on 22 October then was 1.2 lengths 8th in the Champions Sprint. The trainer won this race in 2013 and 2015, both times with Buffering. Nicely drawn and is one of the chances

2. Vilana (12)

Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Jamie Kah
One of two runners from the Godolphin Stable. He won The Hunter over 1300m at Newcastle last outing. Handles soft going and is one of the key chances. Jamie Kah takes the ride.

3. Paulele (16)

Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Ben Melham
This 4YO stallion is a proven performer on soft going. He has raced at Group 1 level 8 times in his last 11 starts but hasn’t been able to win one yet. Blinkers come off for the first time. Not the worst

4. Elite Street (7)

Trainer: Dan Morton
Jockey: Brad Rawiller
He has won 10 of his 20 starts, was 3rd in this race last year and won it the year before. Resumed for 4th in the Colonel Reeves Stakes and meets the other runners from that race better at the weights under the WFA conditions. A proven performer who can be in the finish.

5. The Astrologist (2)

Trainer: Leon & Troy Corstens
Jockey: William Pike
Finished less than a length behind the winner in the Champions Sprint and always runs an honest race. William Pike is a bonus and he has drawn well.

6. Massimo (11)

Trainer: Chris & Michael Gangemi
Jockey: Brad Parnham
Fought hard to cling on for a WFA win over 1400m in the Lee Steere last start. Goes well at this track and distance and could place.

7. Red Can Man (17)

Trainer: Steve Wolfe
Jockey: Shaun McGruddy
Finished 2nd in the Colonel Reeves. Might be a place chance if he hadn’t drawn the outside barrier.

8. Stageman (5)

Trainer: Adam Durrant
Jockey: Clint Johnston-Porter
This 8YO is having his 4th run in this race. He finished 9th in 2019, 7th in 2020 behind Elite Street and 2nd last year. Not the worst.

9. Indian Pacific (15)

Trainer: Neville Parnham
Jockey: Paul Harvey
His last two starts were 3rd in the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes and 3rd in the Colonel Reeves. He goes best over 1000m and combined with the wide draw I don’t think he will be in the first few home.

10. Beau Rossa (8)

Trainer: Will Clarken
Jockey: Todd Pannell
A quality South Australian runner who won the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m) in 2021 and the Listed SA Lightning Stakes. He also finished 2nd to Behemoth in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield in 2021. He has very little racing since then and resumed for 1.3 lengths 4th in the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes over 1200m at Felmington on 29 October. Trailled at Belmont on Monday and could surprise.

11. Hot Zed (6)

Trainer: Lou Luciani
Jockey: Jason Whiting
On the same day that 5 other runners raced in the Colonel Reeves he raced in a 1200m Rating 78+ Handicap which he won carrying 61.5 kg. Has won 7 from 15 starts at the track and is not without a hope despite the massive odds.

12. Kissonallforcheeks (14)

Trainer: Dan Morton
Jockey: Chris Parnham
Having her first race for this trainer. Her best distance is 1400m. Prefers others.

13. Miss Conteki (13)

Trainer: Simon Miller
Jockey: Patrick Carbery
She has won 2 of her 3 starts this campaign, including the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes, and has 11 wins from 17 starts. Her statistics at Ascot are 10 wins and 2 places from 14 starts, and although she has never raced at this level before she has to be considered as a chance.

14. This’ll Testya (9)

Trainer: Mitchell Pateman
Jockey: Lucy Warwick
Was the winner of the Colonel Reeves after running 2nd in the R.S. Crawford Stakes and the Prince Of Wales. She is in great form and can be in the finish.

15. Sniparoochy (1)

Trainer: Stephen Miller
Jockey: Jason Brown
She has won her last 4 races and is on a even day back-up after winning the Listed Jungle Mist Classic by over  alength. That was her first Listed race and she has never raced at Group level. Drawn barrier 1 and could place.

16. My Bella Mae (10)

Trainer: Dion Luciani
Jockey: Steven Parnham
This 3YO filly has only had 3 starts but is unbeaten. She has won by good margins too. When she lines up in this Group 1 race it will be only 38 days since she broke her maiden status. It’s an ambitious target and history is against her. The last 3YO filly to win was Belinda’s Star in 1975, who came back and won it again as a 4YO in 1976. She gets a featherwight of 51.5kg which is 5kg less than any other runner. She has plenty of speed and I’d love to see her win. She well worth an each-way bet.

17e. Titan Blinders (4)

Trainer: Chris & Michael Gangemi
Jockey: Shaun O’Donnell
Placed twice from 5 runs this campaign. This looks too hard.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
16 My Bella Mae
2 Vilana
4 Elite Street
14 This’ll Testya
15 Sniparoochy

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	3 Paulele
2nd	12 Kissonallforcheeks	0.19 length
3rd	14 This’ll Testya	0.96 length
4th	11 Hot Zed	1.49 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 2. Vilana.