The second of three Group 1 programs in Perth takes place on 2022 Winterbottom Stakes Day!
In my humble opinion, this is the best day of racing in the nation’s west every year and you can find my complete 2022 Winterbottom Stakes Day Tips below.
Revitup was only denied by one rival when resuming and looks well placed to go one better on Winterbottom Stakes Day.
The Demerit filly was a consistent performer last time in and kept her best work for late here a fortnight ago.
With natural improvement and under William Pike, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish.
Bitofmerit hasn’t been seen at the races since July, but he absolutely flies fresh, and this looks a perfect kick-off point for him.
The Demerit gelding has made only four appearances at the races since debuting, but has been nothing short of outstanding in winning three times, each at this point of his prep.
If he brings anything close to his best on Saturday, he’ll be too good for these.
There’s a case to be made for a few of them in the Regional Championship Final, including Sneaky Fox.
Sneaky Fox needed a couple runs to tune up and find his best when returning to action this time in, but flew home to record an eye-catching win at Albany two runs back.
He followed up that effort with another smart victory in his heat for this race last time, and he steps out this week in peak order.
At around the $11 mark, I think that he is a touch of overs.
The Velvet Queen is another resuming galloper with winning claims on Winterbottom Stakes Day.
She was a typical model of consistency last time in, and The Velvet Queen didn’t miss placing in six trips to the races, winning a content not dissimilar to this one, most notably.
She’s had the benefit of a trial in the lead-up to her return and is drawn to receive every chance from barrier 3.
I’m keen to give Oly’s Choice the chance to bounce back at Ascot on Saturday.
Oly’s Choice was an eye-catching winner here at Ascot when resuming last month, having picked up where he left off with two impressive victories back in winter.
He failed to make anything of an impact second-up, however, in what was the first ever dip in form for the four-year-old son of Demerit.
I’m happy to put a line through that race, and this does look a nice opportunity for him to atone.
The first bit of black type on the program has attracted a quality field of gallopers, and early favourite Saintorio is the one for me.
Saintorio doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He’s missed a place twice in twelve previous trips to the races, and he has brought that consistency back to the track this time.
He steps out this week rock-hard fit and on the short back-up from an eye-catching effort for third behind Amelia’s Jewel in the WA Guineas, and this does look to be a noticeably weaker race.
Pure Devotion strips fitter for two starts back from a spell and is ready to strike third-up in the A.J. Scahill Cup.
It has been a little while since the So You Think mare has tasted success, but she has still returned some nice efforts in strong races and found form around plenty of above-average opposition.
She was decent through the line for fourth, though well beaten in the Luckygray Stakes here a fortnight ago, but I think the rise in class will prove the difference for her this week, and she takes 6.5kgs from the topweight.
In my opinion, the Winterbottom Stakes is the best race that is contested in Perth every year, and there is absolutely no exception to that rule in 2022.
I’ve put Paulele on top, but check out my full race preview and complete 2022 Winterbottom Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
Above The Peg takes winning form into the last on Winterbottom Stakes Day and I’m confident that he can make it two in a row.
The Blackfriars gelding only just missed here when resuming back in October, and his performance for seventh over 1400m second-up was better than that result suggested.
He returned to the winner’s stall in smart fashion last time out, and I think he’ll only improve for that effort.