The 2015 Winterbottom Stakes barrier draw has been completed and released; confirming alleys for all seventeen runners for Saturday’s sprint feature race at Perth’s Ascot Racecourse.
Buffering will leave from barrier 10 in the 2015 Winterbottom Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Buffering has continued to lead early betting markets for the Winterbottom Stakes after he was confirmed to make the trip west this year, but may need some luck in running after drawing the somewhat wide barrier 10.
A five-time Group 1 champion, Buffering returned to racing this time for an impressive win over classy company in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) on October 2nd.
Progressing to a luckless fifth in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) on October 23rd, the Mossman gelding ran a close fourth in the major Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) last time out and will be very hard to beat at Ascot on Saturday.
Fellow east coast raider Fast ‘N’ Rocking was arguably the biggest winner of all leading contenders at Wednesday’s 2015 Winterbottom Stakes barrier draw; allocated the ideal barrier 3.
Unlucky not to have broken through for a maiden win at the highest level, Fast ‘N’ Rocking returned to racing this time for consecutive fifth place finishes in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) and Listed Cup Club Stakes (1200m).
Luckless in running when seventh in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), the Fastnet Rock gelding returned to winning form in the Listed Village Stakes (1200m) before running on for a close fourth in the Winterbottom Stakes last time.
2014 Winterbottom Stakes winner Magnifisio is charged with a big task in defending her crown from the outside barrier 17 on Saturday.
Returning this year for fourth in the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes (1100m) before failing to figure in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Classic (1200m) in South Australia, the Magnus mare resumed this time for third in the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1200m) before running home for second in the Group 3 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) on November 7th.
Four-year-old local Rommel has not been seen at the races since late February, but is offered an opportunity to post maiden Group 1 glory from the central barrier 8 in the 2015 Winterbottom Stakes.
Stamping his claims as one to follow as a three-year-old through the 2014 edition of the Perth Summer Carnival, Rommel ran second in the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m) before beating the likes of Disposition to the line in the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) most notably.
Having contested only two starts in 2015, the Commands gelding returned for third in the Magic Millions 3.y.o Trophy (1200m) before taking out the Group 3 Zeditave Stakes (1200m) most recently.
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