Winning machine Enticing Star can regain her glow when she steps out in the 2018 Group 1 $1m Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.
Viddora, above, is the favourite for the 2018 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot in Perth. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Enticing Star suffered her first defeat from nine starts when sixth to Gatting in the Group 2 $250,000 WAROA Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot in Perth on November 10.
Perth’s leading jockey Willian Pike said that Enticing Star was in season last start and didn’t race up to expectations but he is willing to forgive her that failure and expects her to bounce back with a first class performance in the Winterbottom Stakes after winning a 950m barrier trial at Lark Hill last week.
“Everything didn’t go to plan last-start and it was a bit of a curve ball, but her record was impeccable before that,” Pike said.
“You have to forgive a horse one run.
“She has more than earned her credit.
“I’m looking forward to it, if for no other reason than to atone.”
The Adam Durrant trained Enticing Star scored her maiden win at Pinjarra in June, 2017 and worked her way up through the grades, making it eight wins on the trot with her victory in the Listed $100,000 Birthday Stakes (1200m) at Belmont on October 6.
Pike rides the Testa Rossa mare again in the Winterbottom Stakes and is looking to collect his second Group 1 trophy from the 2018 Ascot Racing Carnival after he steered Galaxy Star to an exciting home town win in the Group 1 $1m Kirin Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot last Saturday.
Enticing Star is on the second line of betting for the Winterbottom Stakes at $6 at Ladbrokes.com.au behind last year’s winner Viddora who is marked as the $3 favourite to score back to back wins in the Ascot Racing Carnival’s feature weight for age sprint.
Betting for the 2018 Winterbottom Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3 Viddora, $6 Enticing Star, $8 Malaguerra, $8.50 Voodoo Lad, $10 Runson, $12 I’ll Have A Bit, $15 Dainty Tess, $16 Malibu Style, $18 Ashlor, $21 Durendal, $41 Valour Road, Belter, Profit Street, Seannie, $91 Rebel King.
Final Field for the 2018 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m)
| # | Horse | Wgt | Rtg | Rider | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MALAGUERRA | 58.5 | m111 | BEN MELHAM | PETER GELAGOTIS |
| 2 | VOODOO LAD | 58.5 | m109 | DAMIEN OLIVER | DARREN WEIR |
| 3 | DURENDAL | 58.5 | m105 | SHAUN MC GRUDDY | CHRIS GANGEMI |
| 4 | REBEL KING | 58.5 | m100 | JARRAD NOSKE | DARREN MC AULIFFE |
| 5 | MALIBU STYLE | 58.5 | m101 | STEVEN PARNHAM | NEVILLE PARNHAM |
| 6 | PROFIT STREET | 58.5 | m96 | MITCHELL PATEMAN | PETER & MATT GIADRESCO |
| 7 | ASHLOR | 58.5 | m97 | DANIEL STACKHOUSE | DAN MCCARTHY |
| 8 | RUNSON | 58.5 | m97 | STEPHEN BASTER | LEON & TROY CORSTENS |
| 9 | BELTER | 58.5 | m92 | PATRICK CARBERY | SEAN CASEY |
| 10 | VIDDORA | 56.5 | m109 | JOE BOWDITCH | LLOYD KENNEWELL |
| 11 | DAINTY TESS | 56.5 | m105 | PAUL HARVEY | DANIEL MORTON |
| 12 | I’LL HAVE A BIT | 56.5 | m96 | CHRIS PARNHAM | JOHN MCARDLE |
| 13 | ENTICING STAR | 56.5 | m96 | WILLIAM PIKE | ADAM DURRANT |
| 14 | SEANNIE | 56.5 | m77 | LUCY WARWICK | LINDSEY SMITH |
| 15 | VALOUR ROAD | 54.5 | m84 | BEN ALLEN | SIMON A. MILLER |
