The money on local sprinter State Solicitor in the 2017 Winterbottom Stakes odds for Saturday’s Group 1 has been steady since the favourite drew favourably for the $1 million feature.
Adelaide-trained mare Viddora is the second best fancied horse in 2017 Winterbottom Stakes betting in W.A. this weekend. Photo: Jenny Barnes.
A dozen gallopers remain in the mix for this year’s Group 1 $1 million Winterbottom Stakes http://www.races.com.au/races/group-1/winterbottom-stakes/(1200m) at Ascot Racecourse following the early withdrawal of The River (13) who drew the outside barrier.
One of the big winners barrier-wise in gate four is the Grant & Alana Williams-trained State Solicitor who remains at the top of Winterbottom Stakes betting paying $2.90 for the win through Ladbrokes.com.au.
Ace Perth hoop William Pike chases his first W.A. Group 1 winning ride on the top fancy who he has been aboard for three wins on the trot going back to late May.
Pike is a dual Winterbottom Stakes winning jockey but his victories on Hadabeclorka (2010) and Ellicorsam (2004) were both when the summer sprint only held Group 2 status.
Since 2008 five of the nine Winterbottom Stakes favourites saluted for the punters, a nice strike rate that bodes well for State Solicitor this year on the back of his lead-up win in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m).
There are currently three other single-figure hopes in the Winterbottom Stakes markets for Saturday’s weight-for-age classic including the Lloyd Kennewell-trained mare Viddora ($4.20).
Drawn in gate seven with regular rider Joe Bowditch continuing his association, the super consistent daughter of I Am Invincible was last seen running just two lengths back fourth to Hey Doc in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.
That followed her ultra-close second to She Will Reign first-up at the same tight track in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m).
Viddora is a genuine Group 1 performer, but she is yet to win over further than 1100m so will need to be at her best over the 1200m on Saturday.
The next best in betting are Rock Magic ($6.50) and Santa Ana Lane ($8).
Third in the race last year, Chris Gangemi’s now eight-year-old Rock Magic is a gun hope to improve and salute in the Group 1 12 months on despite his age.
He has been toughened up off a four run Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival campaign and is rock hard fit for his home town return on the weekend.
Santa Ana Lane is an eastern state raider representing Anthony Freedman, the last start Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) winner to be ridden by Dean Yendall again from barrier 11 that the team believes is ideal.
Check out the full Winterbottom Stakes 2017 odds now available at Ladbrokes.com.au and stay tuned for our insider tips.
