Winterbottom Stakes

Perth Racing hosts a number of Group races during the summer racing carnival at Ascot Racecourse which includes the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes. Free $250 from Luxbet

Horses three years old and above are eligible for the weight for age race that is contested over 1200 metres of the Ascot track. The event is held towards the end of November with a tidy purse worth $500,000 at stake.

The Winterbottom Stakes is now held alongside the Group 1 Railway Stakes on Super Saturday of the racing carnival and is usually a final warm up to the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic held two weeks later. The race usually attracts the above average local sprinters who may have had a successful run on the east coast during the spring carnival as well.

The Winterbottom Stakes has the distinction of hosting one of greatest contests ever between Takeover Target and Apache Cat in 2008. A number of classy sprinters have added the trophy to their resume while the race has also many placegetters going on to become stars of the turf. Among the likely warm up events are the 1100 M Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes and the 1400 M Group 3 Lee Steere Stakes also held at Ascot earlier in November. Horses may come in from the 1200 M Group 2 Salinger Stakes held earlier at Flemington Racecourse. Rarefied was runner up in both events. Horses may fancy their chances in the Group 3 AJ Scahill Stakes over 1400 metres under similar condition as their next run. 

Raconteur won the inaugural Winterbottom Stakes in 1952. It was a principal race until 1979 when Asian Beau became the first to be recorded in the history books as Group 2 winner. The first Group 1 event was held in 2011. The race was reduced to 1200 metres from its original 1400 metres in 1993. La Trice and Belinda's Star scored back to back victories in earlier times while Hardrada achieved the feat in 2002-03.

Other outstanding gallopers to win include Miss Andretti in 2005, Marasco in 2006, Takeover Target in 2008 while Zedavite, Apache Cat, and Grand Nirvana are among the notable placegetters.

2011 Winterbottom Stakes

Ortensia was given a lovely ride by in-form jockey Craig Williams, who settled the mare in fifth place where she coasted along in the easiest of fashion. When it was time to accelerate, Ortensia responded, burning off her rivals with a terrific sprint in the straight, something she has become renowned for. Ortensia went to the post a length clear of Rarefied who just held off Grand Nirvana.

2011 Winterbottom Stakes result

1. Ortensia
2. Rarefied
3. Grand Nirvana

Then came:

4. Hadabeclorka
5. Werd
6. Elusive Touch
7. Kid Choisir
8. Morant
9. Egos' Dare
10. Avante
11. Elliotto
12. For Your Eyes Only