Less than a length separated them when they met in the G1 Manikato Stakes and punters are of the belief that there will be little between Moment Of Change and Angelic Light when they clash again in Saturday’s G1 Winterbottom Stakes in Perth. Moment Of Change has followed the same prep that saw him run a nose second to Buffering in this race last year and Angelic Light was unlucky not to have added a deserved G1 victory to her resume when a nose second to Lankan Rupee last start in the Manikato. It was the third time from as many starts that the Robbie Griffith trained mare has finished within a length of the winner in Group 1 company but with a perfect draw here, Angelic Light could set the record straight. Angelic Light is $3 and favourite with Moment Of Change $4.60. Sidestep is $7.00 with the only other runner under double figure odds being local hope Magnifisio at $7.50.

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Winterbottom Stakes 2014 Field

1. MOMENT OF CHANGE – L Nolen (4)

After being involved in the memorable Manikato Stakes finish when eighth and only 0.8 lengths behind winner Lankan Rupee, the 6yo lined up in the G1 Darley Classic (1200m) on Stakes Day. He was afforded a lovely run in the race behind Lankan Rupee and Buffering but just couldn’t match it with a few late and finished fifth (3 lengths) behind Terravista. Going just as well as he was last year, has drawn ideally in gate four and is sure to be right in the finish.

2. SIDESTEP – N Rawiller (2)

Tackled a hot field first up from a six month spell when eighth (4.1 lengths) behind Terravista in the G1 Darley Classic a fortnight ago. The Godolphin runner settled in the second half of the field and struggled for the majority of the race to find clear room. Won second up last prep – the Listed Darby Munro on a heavy track, and whist this is significantly harder, he was unlucky last start not to finish closer to the top sprinters in the land and has always shown above average ability. With a touch of luck from an inside draw, can make amends here.

3. BEL SPRINTER – B Melham (8)

Produced a run we know he is capable of when returning from a spell and finishing hard late to share the prize with Miracles Of Life in the G2 Caulfield Sprint (1100m) before finishing sixth (10.1 lengths) behind Deep Field in the G2 Tab.com.au Stakes (1200m). Ran into a budding superstar last start, drew the inside part of the track and lost a plate in the run so there’s plenty there to forgive him for. Will settle back and the tempo will suit him however, his last four wins have all been when first up and he hasn’t been able to salute again later into campaigns.

4. WATERMAN’S BAY – S Arnold (7)

Local horse who has had each of his three starts this campaign in Victoria and on each occasion, found the competition a shade too strong. He finished sixth to In Cahoots in the Italktravel Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield before holding his ground behind Reparation in the Mss Security Stakes (1200m) on Cup Day. Returns home where his form is strong and ran third in this race last year but he rises to WFA now and needed to see more from his last two starts.

5. TESTAMEZZO – P Knuckey (5)

A local galloper with an impressive strike rate of seven wins from only twelve starts but this is by far his biggest test to date. Finished strongly for a close up third to Recode first up from a spell in a 1000m scamper and three weeks late at his most recent start, finishing well again from the back of the field to run second (1 lengths) behind Shining Knight in the G3 Colonel Reeves (1100M). The extra 100m suits but the class of this race should find him out.

6. SHINING KNIGHT – W Pike (6)

Ultra consistent galloper from the Grant Williams stables who registered the fifth win of his career when claiming the G3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) first up off an eight month spell. Ran a cheeky race in this event last year third up from a spell, finishing fifth and only two lengths behind Buffering as a 30/1 shot. Drawn well, has the leading local rider aboard and might be one at odds for the exotics if looking for some value.

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7. TIGER PETE – S McCruddy (7)

Had every chance last start when third up from a spell, the Shovog gelding finished fifth of eight in Open class race over 1200m behind Crown Lawyer. Disappointing last start, rises 4.5kgs on that run here under the WFA scale and from his eleven starts since his last, which came over 12 months ago, has only managed a second and third placing. This looks well beyond him.

8. ÉCLAIR BIG BANG – D Tourneur (9)

Should’ve won when running an unlucky second to In Cahoots in the Listed Italktravel Stakes before making amends and topping off a great day for the Philip Stokes stable, with victory in the final race of the VRC Carnival, defeating Boristar and Fast’n’Rocking – who won the Heffernan Stakes last Saturday. Was given a peach of a ride by Tourneur last and whilst he’s in form, the combination of an awkward draw, WFA conditions and a tougher grade of competition, see him as a place chance at best.

9. ROCK MAGIC (13)

The Redoute’s Choice gelding was shooting for five straight wins when lining up in the G3 Colonel Reeves (1100m) almost three weeks ago off an eight week break. From gate three he found a lovely spot but also the likes of Shining Knight and Testamezzo a shade too strong and finished fifth (1.5 lengths). Fitter for that run and meets those who beat him last start better at the weights but the outside gate means he’ll have to do it tough no matter what option he takes from the jump.

10. WINDSWEPT – B Parnham (10)

Former Paul Messara trained colt who has gone close in each of his three runs for new local trainer Chris Gangemi. He was a nose second to Onadowntowntrain before sticking on well from the lead position to run fourth (1.3 lengths) behind Shining Knight and Testamezzo in the G3 Colonel Reeves (1100m). He’ll shoot over from gate 10 but hard to see him staving off the challengers late in this class and over an extra 100m

11. YSMAEL – J Azzopardi (3)

Had been hitting the line hard in 1000m race before finally taking the step up to 1200m with instant success, producing a big finishing from near last on the turn to win an Open class race by 1.5 lengths with Wild Charger second. Going well in weaker races and hard to see him getting back from an inside draw and running down a field of much deeper quality than his last start.

12. MAGNIFISIO – J Brown (12)

The 5yo mare recorded her eleven win from twenty-one starts with a professional head win over Fuchsia Bandana in the G2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) last start. Found the box seat and fought on strongly last time out. Doesn’t run many bad races but this is her first go at WFA and G1 company. From her draw, happy to bet against her at her current price ($7.00).

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13. ANGELIC LIGHT – D Oliver (5)

Defeated Lankan Rupee three starts back, was then fourth (beaten less than a length) behind Buffering in the G1 Moir and at her most recent start, was unlucky not to have beaten Lankan Rupee again when finishing nose second in the G1 Manikato Stakes. That’s as good as form gets and each of the above efforts were under WFA condition. She draws ideally in gate five, has home-town hero Damien Oliver aboard and will take a world of beating.

Winterbottom Stakes 2014 Odds/Results

RACE OVERVIEW

Hard to go past the top two in betting here – Moment Of Change and Angelic Light – who both come out of the strong Manikato Stakes and have drawn perfectly. Sidestep was unlucky last start – his first outing for several months, and will enjoy the temp here and be finishing hard. Not forgetting Bel Sprinter at double figure odds. Excuses last start and better suited to a turning circuit for mine.

1. ANGELIC LIGHT
2. MOMENT OF CHANGE
3. SIDESTEP
4. BEL SPRINTER

News:

Arabian King’s quest to qualify for the $300,000 Country Championships at Randwick enters its next phase at Grafton.

“You’ve got to dream,” the four-year-old’s trainer John Shelton said.

“A lot of horses are obviously going to head that way and try and qualify for the big money race.

“We’re in the same boat. But you’ve got to be careful planning it. You can’t win too many races too soon and there are special clauses to the race.

“Getting our horse right for the qualifying race at Grafton is the long term plan.”

Competition for the limited spots available for the new event during The Championships is expected to be intense.

Arabian King lines up on Sunday seeking a hat-trick of wins this campaign in the Grafton Hotel Benchmark 70 handicap (1100m).

Shelton admits it is another rise in class for the lightly raced gelding but one he has earned.

“All his runs have been good and he’s won both times this time in,” Shelton said.

“He’s only missed a place once (April 24) and he missed the start that day and nothing went right.

“He’s still only a Class Three horse and he’s meeting horses who have won a lot more races but he does get in with a nice weight (54kg) after Kasie Stanley’s claim (1.5kg).”

Shelton is taking a gamble and removing the blinkers from Arabian King on Sunday.

“To be honest I don’t know whether it’s the right thing of wrong thing,” Shelton said.

“He had a jump-out the other day and went really well without the blinkers on. He jumped a lot better than usual.

“It’s hard when they’ve won two in a row with blinkers on but we’ll see what happens on Sunday.”

Shelton also considered starting Arabian King at Ipswich rather than Grafton but the hot weather and the toll a trip would take on him swayed him to stay at home.