State Solicitor dominating Winterbottom markets
LIGHTLY-RACED five-year-old State Solicitor is the $3 favourite at Sportsbet to take out this Saturday’s Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot.
The Western Australian native, which finished just one length behind the winner in last year’s iteration of the race, holds three times the amount of money that second favourite Viddora ($4 at Ladbrokes) does for the second group one race of the Perth Summer Carnival.
The ultra-consistent Viddora is looking to record its first win outside of South Australia after narrowly going down in the Group One Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Other horses in the market include local hope Rock Magic ($6 at Crownbet) and recent Alinghi Stakes winner Fuhryk, which is at the $11 quote via Ladbrokes.
Viddora just completed her final gallop before the @PerthRacing Winterbottom Stakes@JoeBowditch was in the saddle pic.twitter.com/B8jSEoyjBy
— Kennewell Racing (@KennewellRacing) November 27, 2017
State Solicitor will be looking to back up its heart-stopping Group Three Colonel Reeves Stakes win two weeks ago when William Pike drove the gelding to a win from an almost impossible position.
The champion hoop said he thought all hope was lost aboard the $1.40 favourite.
“It was pretty much a whole race of panic for me,” Pike said.
“I thought the race was over. I didn’t think I was going to get out in time, but credit to the horse.”
Pike said the win gave him hope that a strong showing in the second group one race of the Perth Racing Carnival was in the offing.
“I think it’s safe to say he’s the best of the local brigade and if he gets a nice run in transit, he’ll take a stack of beating.”
The confidence has been reflected by the online bookmakers.
Sportsbet representative Christian Jantzen said their clients are confident the son of Nicconi will get the job done in the Group One Winterbottom Stakes on its second attempt.
“State Solicitor ran a super race to be just behind the placegetters in last year’s Winterbottom. He’s racing very well this preparation with wins at his past two starts.
“State Solicitor has had just 12 starts and won nine of them and plenty of punters believe he can crack it for a group one on Saturday.”