Vega Magic tops betting for Winterbottom Stakes

From Brian Ashfield: November 2017

Vega Magic has opened up as the bookmakers' favourite to win the Group One Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot Racecourse in Perth next month where the talented sprinter will be looking to cap off what has been a great year on the track.

Since switching stables back in May, the gelding has won two Group One contests, which has helped the horse establish himself as one of the leading sprinters in the Southern Hemisphere.

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Vega Magic's opening victory of the season came in the Darley Goodwood at Morphettville which is run over 1200 metres. The son of Lope de Vega overcame 19 rivals in the prestigious race. Under the hands of jockey Craig Williams, she outbattled Missrock and Casino Wizard who came home second and third respectively.

The five-year-old once again showed his class in the New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes at Caulfield where he stepped up in distance to 1400m. The Australian-bred horse had no problems with the extra 200m as he scored by just under two lengths ahead of Black Heart Bart.

The two-time Group One winner will be looking to bounce back from his latest performance in the Manikato Stakes when he lines up at Ascot. He went as the hot favourite for the Moonee Valley contest but had to settle for fifth place as he was not at his best. Despite that disappointment, he is in the horse racing betting at $4.50 for the Winterbottom Stakes, where he will be bidding for his sixth victory of his career.

Malaguerra Set For Second Shot At Winterbottom Stakes

Malaguerra has been entered to run in the Winterbottom Stakes for the second time in his career this year, where connections will be hoping he can improve on his fifth place in 2016 in the race. In what was a close finish at Ascot last year, Malaguerra was only one length behind the winner Takedown when crossing the line.

It has been a long campaign for the five-year-old in 2017 as he made his first appearance of the season at Moonee Valley where he won the Australia Stakes. Peter Gelagotis' runner got the better of the favourite in the race, Black Heart Bart, in an impressive performance.

Unfortunately for his connections, he was unable to claim his second Group One victory in five further runs in 2017. The closest he came was in his most recent outing in the Manikato Stakes. There was only half-a-length separating the winner Hey Doc, the runner-up In Her Time and Malaguerra at the finish.

State Solicitor Unexposed Going into Ascot Contest

State Solicitor will be having just his third career run when he features in the Grade One race at Ascot next month. His two previous outings have both come at the track where he won on his debut but was unable to prevail when stepping up in class for the 2016 Winterbottom Stakes.

The five-year-old was unable to run earlier in 2017 due to a setback; however, he is set to be 100% for his return in what will be his second shot at the prestigious contest.

The 2017 Winterbottom Stakes takes place on December 2 and if you are having a bet on the race, good luck!

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