Local horseman Chris Gangemi is expecting a strong finish in Saturday’s Winterbottom Stakes 2016 results from his veteran seven-year-old Rock Magic.

Malaguerra is tipped as the horse to beat in the Winterbottom Stakes 2016 in Perth at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.

The interstate assault on the 12 horse field for the $1 million Group 1 Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) this weekend is imposing.

Currently the Peter Gelagotis-trained Darley Classic winner Malaguerra ($3.30) and the Joe Pride-trained Sydney raider Terravista ($3.60) head the Winterbottom Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Of the Perth contingent Gangemi saddles-up one of the best fancied in Redoute’s Choice gelding Rock Magic ($8) who lines-up in a Group 1 race for the first time since 2014.

The sprinter finished eighth to Magnifisio in that year’s Winterbottom Stakes and has been kept in easier company since.

He has run top three in his seven most recent starts going back to late January including back-to-back wins earlier this prep.

The latest of those was the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m) at Ascot on October 29.

From there Rock Magic raced at the track again on November 12 finishing a devastatingly close second to Vega Magic in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m).

The last Winterbottom Stakes winner to back-up off the Colonel Reeves Stakes was Barakey (2012) and the Sean Casey-trained Vega Magic sits at a quote of $10 to complete the double again in 2016.

Rock Magic meanwhile is tipped to improve in the Winterbottom Stakes getting out over 1200m for the first time since August and Gangemi said the small field size suited.

“The relatively small field will be ideal for his style,” Gangemi, who chases his first Winterbottom Stakes win, told The West Australian.

“He’ll be dropped back and ridden patiently. We expect he’ll again finish strongly.”

Jarrad Noske retains the mount on Rock Magic and is the only hoop to ride the horse since August of 2014.

Noske has had six previous Winterbottom Stakes rides for just the one second place finish.

To back Rock Magic to keep the Winterbottom Stakes trophy at home this weekend at the right price visit our preferred online sportsbook Ladbrokes.com.au who will update markets after the barrier draw on Tuesday evening.