After the release of the Winterbottom Stakes 2011 field, updated betting markets on the leading Perth Summer Racing Carnival sprint are now out with five of the 14 horses engaged at single figures.
Ortensia is the pronounced 2011 Winterbottom Stakes betting favourite
Betting on the $500,000 Group 1 Burswood Winterbottom Stakes (1200m), running as one of two elite levels along with the Railway Stakes at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, is led by class mare Ortensia.
At Luxbet Ortensia is at a quote of $2.40 to win the Winterbottom, the now Paul Meassara-trained Testa Rossa six-year-old coming off a sensational first-up win in the Listed G.H. Mumm Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on November 3.
Due to be ridden by piping hot hoop Craig Williams, Ortensia is no stranger to WA racing having won the 2009 Winterbottom Stakes when the race held only Group 2 status.
Ortensia also ran in the 2009 Railway Stakes finishing sixth to Sniper’s Bullet.
The next shortest-priced of the Winterbottom Stakes hopefuls this year is then the Peter Snowden-trained Rarefied paying $6 through Luxbet.
Five-year-old Commands gelding Rarefied has been one of the best-backed of the Winterbottom Stakes contenders over the past week.
Saturday will be their first run under race conditions in Perth, Rarefied coming off a devastatingly close second beaten a pencil thickness by Sister Madly in the Group 2 Salinger Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.
The other Winterbottom Stakes horses under double-figures in the Luxbet markets are the ultra-consistent Fred Kersley-trained Grand Nirvana ($8), Allen McNamara’s Choisir five-year-old Kid Choisir ($9) and Stan Bates’ progressive Blackfriars mare All Friared Up ($9).
They are followed by four gallopers at a quote of $21 with the now Shane Edwards-trained Elusive Touch formerly under the preparation of Mark Kavanagh, Grant Williams’ last-start Colonel Reeves Stakes winner Avante, Colonel Reeves fourth placegetter Morant and the third placed Werd.
The Chris Gangemi-trained Hussonet seven-year-old Werd ran fifth in last year’s Winterbottom Stakes behind Hadabeclorka and is reportedly in career best form despite their age.
“We won’t change much with him,” Gangemi said.
“He can be a bit funny at times so we’ll stick to the routine of working him at Belmont.
“I’m the happiest I’ve been with him in a long time.”
Gangemi has also accepted for The Entourage in this year’s Winterbottom Stakes, the Flying Spur five-year-old last seen finishing two lengths away sixth in the Colonel Reeves Stakes.
Meanwhile defending Winterbottom Stakes winner Hadabeclorka is a $41 long-shot through Luxbet to go back-to-back after their dead last finish in the Colonel Reeves Stakes first-up, the Hurricane Sky ten-year-old to be ridden by Glenn Smith who only last week resumed riding after a four year absence from the saddle.
The 2011 Winterbottom Stakes barrier draw will be taken tonight at 5pm Perth time.
Don’t wait until race day to place your Ascot bets! Head to Luxbet now and access the best Winterbottom Stakes odds and remember to enter the code BONUSBET if you are new to join and deposit for a bonus welcome bet valued up to $400!
