Former top elect, the Jim Taylor-trained Barakey has been officially scratched from the 2011 Winterbottom Stakes in Perth on Saturday week, class mare Ortensia the new favourite to win the Perth Summer Racing Carnival feature.
Ortensia is the new 2011 Winterbottom Stakes favourite following the withdrawal of Barakey
Earlier this week undefeated Key Business four-year-old Barakey overtook the withdrawn Black Caviar at the top of the 2011 Winterbottom Stakes betting odds at Luxbet.
While Peter Moody’s superstar sprinter Black Caviar would have been out to extend her unbeaten career winning streak to 17 in the $500,000 Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on November 19, Barakey was going to attempt to maintain his own flawless record currently six-from-six since their race debut back in June.
With Black Caviar is in the paddock resting ahead of an ambitious 2012 season that will include an overseas trip to the other Ascot in England, Barakey was the punters’ pick for the Winterbottom Stakes paying around $2.20 for the win at Luxbet.
Although untested at stakes level, Barakey earned a look in for the Winterbottom Stakes with the gun galloper having easily accounted for his rivals by a collective 17.5 lengths in his opening six starts.
However, in a surprise move that has dramatically affected the futures Winterbottom Stakes betting at Luxbet, connections have withdrawn Barakey from the race.
This morning Taylor admitted that Barakey was not 100 percent confirmed for the Winterbottom, the emerging sprinter still in the early stages of his career.
“I’m very mindful that it’s his first preparation,” Barakey said.
Updated Winterbottom Stakes markets at Luxbet now have the Paul Messara-trained Testa Rossa mare Ortensia as the $2.40 favourite.
Debuting for her new trainer Messara on Crown Oaks Day, Ortensia made a successful return to the track winning the Listed G.H. Mumm Stakes (1100m) and will now continue onto Perth for a shot at Group 1 glory in the Winterbottom.
Ortensia is followed in the Winterbottom Stakes odds by the David Harrison-trained Waratah’s Secret ($4) who ran fourth in the race last year, Stan Bates’ progressive mare All Friared Up ($6) and Rarefied ($6) who trainer Peter Snowden has named as another possible non-acceptor.
The 2011 Winterbottom Stakes final field will be released on Monday November 14 with jockeys to be confirmed on the Tuesday.
To view the full Winterbottom Stakes odds and betting options following the withdrawal of Barakey, head to our preferred online bookmaker Luxbet today.
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