Winterbottom Stakes 2025 Preview
Winterbottom Stakes 2025 Preview
The Winterbottom Stakes 2025 returns as one of Western Australia’s premier sprint races, headlining the Perth Summer Carnival and drawing elite short‑course talent from across the country. This year’s edition again shapes as a high‑pressure clash at Ascot, with a familiar mix of local specialists, eastern‑state raiders, and genuine Group 1 sprinters.
What is the Winterbottom Stakes?
The Winterbottom Stakes is a Group 1 sprint run over 1,200 metres at Ascot Racecourse in Perth. Held annually in late November, it’s one of WA’s top sprint races and a massive feature of the Perth Summer Carnival. First run in 1952, the Winterbottom Stakes is run under weight-for-age conditions and regularly attracts top sprinters from across Australia.
When is the Winterbottom Stakes 2025?
The Winterbottom Stakes will be run at Ascot Racecourse on November 29th 2025.
Race History
Established in 1952, the Winterbottom Stakes has become a defining feature of the Perth Summer Carnival. Traditionally run over 1200 metres at weight‑for‑age, the race has produced champions including Buffering (dual winner), Viddora, and Hey Doc. It has grown into one of the most coveted sprinting titles in Australia, attracting top‑line sprinters who relish firm tracks and Ascot’s fast‑run style.
Who Won Last Year’s Winterbottom Stakes?
Overpass claimed the 2024 Winterbottom Stakes, securing back‑to‑back victories after also winning in 2023.
Previous Winners of the Winterbottom Stakes
Overpass won the race in both 2023 and 2024. Paulele was the winner in 2022, followed by Graceful Girl in 2021. Elite Street took out the 2020 race, with Hey Doc victorious in 2019. Voodoo Lad won in 2018, and Viddora claimed the title in 2017. Takedown was the winner in 2016, while Buffering secured back-to-back wins in 2013 and 2015. Magnifisio won in 2014.
Latest Winterbottom Stakes Odds & Tips
The 2025 Winterbottom Stakes, set for Saturday 29 November at Ascot Racecourse, is shaping up as a genuine “East versus West” sprint showdown, with a $1.5 million purse on the line over 1200 metres. Perth racing fans are buzzing about local star Jokers Grin, while the interstate spotlight is firmly on Sydney’s Overpass, who returns aiming for a historic third straight win in the race. With both horses opening as equal favourites at $2.70, the build-up has become one of the most anticipated in recent WA racing history. When the gates fly open at 5pm AWST, every eye in the country will be watching to see which heavyweight fires first.
Overpass remains the benchmark. Trained by Bjorn Baker and partnered again by Joshua Parr, he draws ideally in barrier three and brings an outstanding Ascot record: four wins from five starts, including the past two Winterbottoms. His Everest campaign confirmed he is still operating at the highest level, and he looks perfectly placed to control the race from a prominent position. Jokers Grin, the $2.70 local fancy, is the clear danger. Bernie Miller’s gelding has been airborne this year, highlighted by his win in The Quokka, and from barrier six he has the tactical flexibility to stalk Overpass or settle just behind the pace. If the favourite hesitates even briefly, the hometown hero will be ready to strike.
Beyond the big two, there is genuine interest in Rey Magnerio, who sits at $10 and brings solid eastern-state form plus the services of William Pike. Luana Miss, the lone three-year-old filly, gets a massive weight advantage despite jumping from the outside gate and could flash late if the tempo is strong. Still, the race shapes as a two-horse clash, and on proven class, track affinity, tactical speed and sheer reliability, Overpass deserves to be the Pickabookie.com.au top pick. With the chance to claim an unprecedented Winterbottom three-peat, he is once again the horse they all have to get past.
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