The Pinnacles at Ascot continues this Saturday, with the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) the feature across a ten race card.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Winterbottom Stakes.
2025 Winterbottom Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Overpass: I think Overpass wins doesn’t he? He is the big boy here with the runs on the board being the two time defending champ. He resumed in The Everest and gave an almighty sight, but just had no answers late for Ka Ying Rising. That is the best form line in world racing at the moment, tick over trial was good, think he will lead comfortably…I can’t work out why he is not even money.
2. Jokers Grin: Jokers Grin is the best of the locals. But are the locals much opposition? He is 2/2 this time in and each win, he has been quite arrogant the way he has put them away, making a mess of them with something in hand. He did beat Overpass in The Quokka so in that regard, he has the runs on the board, but I just can’t see him holding that margin here. But, he’s the clear threat if Overpass is off his game.
3. Oscar’s Fortune: Think he runs well without winning. Has pushed Jokers Grin hard this time in but simply just hasn’t been good enough and suspect something similar eventuates here. But, a must for exotics.
4. Rey Magnerio: Given a sore back by Jye on Oaks Day but I do have my doubts on him at 1200m at this level. I reckon he is a sharp 1000m/1100m horse, a race like the Oakleigh Plate would be more ideal vs here. Keen to oppose.
5. Rope Them In: I wanted to find him but the wide gate seals his fate and I dare say this is a barrier trial for the Gold Rush. But, he’ll run really well and is a clear first four threat.
6. Libertad: I reckon if they went to Brisbane after this, he’d be more than competitive in the sprints there. Just not sure he is up to these despite a good effort in the Champions Sprint.
7. Man Crush: SCR
8. Spacewalk: SCR
9. Repossession: Flying this horse, but I dare say his race will be the Summer Scorcher over 1000m in a few weeks.
10. Benedetta: Hasn’t really fired a shot in some time and suspect that will continue here.
11. Luana Miss: The gate makes it awful, her ratings are plain…but to the eye, she just has that special something and does get the weight pull, which brings her into the mix for mine. Just needs three wide cover, a drag into the race, and she can launch late.
2025 Winterbottom Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$100 Win Overpass @ $2.70
Group l Strategy Outlay: $3100
Group l Strategy Return: $2723
2025 Winterbottom Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OVERPASS | Bjorn Baker | Joshua Parr | 3 | 58.5kg |
| 2 | JOKERS GRIN | Bernie Miller | Patrick Carbery | 6 | 58.5kg |
| 3 | OSCAR’S FORTUNE | Dion Luciani | Chris Parnham | 5 | 58.5kg |
| 4 | REY MAGNERIO | Robbie Griffiths | William Pike | 8 | 58.5kg |
| 5 | ROPE THEM IN | Steve Wolfe | Shaun McGruddy | 10 | 58.5kg |
| 6 | LIBERTAD | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Jamie Mott | 2 | 58.5kg |
| 9 | REPOSSESSION | Chris & Michael Gangemi | Brad Parnham | 4 | 58.5kg |
| 10 | BENEDETTA | Ciaron Maher | Daniel Stackhouse | 9 | 56.5kg |
| 11 | LUANA MISS | Trevor Andrews | Shaun O’Donnell | 11 | 51.5kg |
2025 Winterbottom Stakes Odds
2025 Winterbottom Stakes Speed Map
Overpass should lead for fun from the way I am reading this map. Oscar’s Fortune likely sits outside, or maybe gets the 1/1 via Man Crush. Libertad and Spacewalk will battle for the spot behind Overpass. Jokers Grin could get into a nasty spot from the tricky gate.