The Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes takes place at Ascot

Whilst 2023 is winding down, some punters would be forgiven for thinking the big races are too but there is another superb weekend of racing in prospect from Ascot. 

The Winterbottom Stakes is a race that always catches the attention with punters and online betting and with a superb field lined up, it promises to be another epic encounter in 2023.  

The end of the calendar year is always a great time for both punters and Aussie bookmakers and next up in the schedule is the Winterbottom Stakes. 

A contest that dates back to the early 1950’s, the Winterbottom Stakes has long been one of the flagship events at Ascot and it often showcase the talents of the Western Australian racing fraternity. 

With a healthy A$1.5 million in the prize purse, it should be another fast and furious contest from Ascot, with some of the best in the business fighting it out over 1200m. 

Can anybody stop Overpass? 

Few horses in Australia or further afield enjoy the reputation of Overpass, a fiercely quick 5-year-old, that has proven time and time again its quality at the highest level. 
 
2023 has been a curious year for Overpass, with mixed showings in plenty of races, with the 10th place finish at The Everest back in October a particular disappointment, 
 
However, connections will feel that this is the perfect type of race to put Overpass back into and it would seem plenty of Australian betting apps agree, with Overpass currently the hot favourite for Winterbottom Stakes glory. 
 
The going will be very quick, something that may not naturally suit Overpass but once it gets into its stride, it will be very difficult to stop, and it should be firmly in the mix from the off here at Ascot. 
 
Triple Missile to go big? 

As with any race of the magnitude of the Winterbottom Stakes, the odds being offered out by online betting sites are governed by the amount that punters look to put on particular horses. 
 
One horse that has the capacity to shape the betting markets is Triple Missile, with the Lindsey Smith 6-year-old having proven itself to be a solid performer consistently. 
 
Again, no trees have been pulled up in 2023 by Triple Missile, hence why it has been sent to Ascot to try and find some form, but it does look to be the perfect fit for both conditions and the 1200m trip. 
 
Whether it can overcome the likes of Overpass remains to be seen but Triple Missile is an experienced campaigner, and should it get a sniff of the line in this one, connections will feel it can mix it with the big boys here in the Winterbottom Stakes. 
 
Big names chasing Group 1 success 

The Winterbottom Stakes is one of the few Western Australian races that transcends beyond Perth and Ascot and has a nationwide profile. 
 
Consequently, there are a whole host of big-name owners, trainers and jockeys fighting it out here at Ascot, with the prestige of the Winterbottom Stakes also a big draw for punters and online betting sites. 
 
Home favourite Ripcord is a dab hand around this lightning quick Ascot track and should conditions suit, it looks to be in with a very decent shot for trainer Luke Fernie. 
 
Finishing ahead of Oscar’s Fortune last time out was representative of the progress Ripcord has made but Oscar’s Fortune will be out for revenge of sorts here and it should also be very much in the mix from the off at Ascot. 
 
Value is often a key thing to find for punters when presiding over the betting market and the likes of Hot Zed and Snowdome look to be two horses that should not only relish conditions but should be able to keep up with the frantic pace over the 1200m trip. 
 
The 2023 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot should be an absolute epic and there are a whole host of horses firmly in contention for Group 1 glory.

The final few Group 1 contests of 2023 are upon us, with the Winterbottom Stakes from Ascot next on the agenda. 
 
With the race originating back to the 1950’s, the Winterbottom Stakes has long been a staple on the Australian racing calendar and there are a whole host of big names in the hunt for glory once more in 2023.