My Bella Mae draws favourable barrier in Winterbottom Stakes
Jockey Pat Carbery says a favourable barrier draw enhances My Bella Mae’s chances to win the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday.
My Bella Mae came up with barrier five and with speed all around the Deep Field mare, Pat Carbery plans to utilise her best asset in Perth’s rich $1.5 million sprint.
Carbery said barrier one and racing on top of the speed didn’t suit My Bella Mae last start when she started favourite and finished fifth in the Colonel Reeves (1100m).
That followed her strong finishing effort in the Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m) when from a wide barrier she went back before being impeded for clear running in the straight.
Her best placing came first up in the Crawford Stakes (1000m) when she ran on solidly from the second half of the field for a half-length second to Red Can Man.
“I think she ran a good race the other day (Colonel Reeves), but I was a little disappointed she didn’t quite finish off for the run she had,” Carbery told The Races WA.
“However, the track was really firm and I feel that she didn’t quite let down that well.
“She also raced a little handier than what suits her although she drew one and the pace wasn’t that solid.
“I feel with the race on Saturday there will be a lot more pressure at the top end which means with her barrier she’ll be able to be off the speed a bit.
“I feel that will suit her.
“She’s got away with winning races on the speed in lesser grade, but obviously it’s different when getting up in grade that she’s in now.
“She only has to produce what we know she can and she can be right in it.”
My Bella Mae is currently $21 with Tabtouch. Sydney galloper Overpass the $2.60 market leader.
While quietly confident My Bella Mae can be competitive in the Winterbottom Stakes, Carbery fears Overpass could prove his nemesis again.
Fresh in his mind is the inaugural $4 million Quokka at Ascot in April when Overpass inflicted an agonising defeat on Carbery and Amelia’s Jewel.
In one of the most exciting finishes seen in a big race at Ascot for years, Overpass led and held out to defeat Amelia’s Jewel by a short half-head.
Carbery says at his best Overpass will take some beating in the Winterbottom Stakes.
“Overpass looks outstanding,” Carbery said.
“I’ve seen him at the track and to me it looks like he has matured from last time he came here.
“He’s the one we have to worry about, but’s it a very good race.
“Dion’s (Luciani) a very good trainer and he’ll have her right for her grand final.
“He’s got his team going really well.”
Along with Oscar’s Fortune, Luciani has a potent two-pronged attack in the Winterbottom Stakes.
My Bella Mae is having her second crack at the Winterbottom Stakes after running a competitive ninth to Paulele last year.
As a three-year-old she was the X Factor horse in last year’s sprint, having won her first three races that culminated in the Listed Placid Ark Stakes.
More Racing News
Weeping Woman too good in the 2025 Razor Sharp Handicap
Joe Pride’s team fired on all cylinders on Saturday, with six runners producing two wins, three seconds and a third across three states, including a dominant stable quinella in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap at Randwick. Weeping Woman ($2.60 fav) finished strongest to overhaul Coal Crusher ($6), only 35 minutes after...
Warnie flies late to win The Supernova 2025
With a composed ride inspired by Mark Zahra, jockey Thomas Stockdale steered Warnie to a breakthrough victory in the lucrative The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham. It was a signature moment for Stockdale, who delivered a tactically brilliant performance as the Ciaron Maher-trained runner stormed to victory in Southside Racing’s second slot...
Ingham triumph puts Yorkshire in 2026 Doncaster Mile mix
Tom Charlton may have been only five years old when John O’Shea secured the 2000 Villiers Stakes, but on Saturday the duo jointly celebrated Yorkshire’s commanding victory in the modern equivalent, The Ingham (1600m), at Randwick. The triumph delivered O’Shea a fourth win in the prestigious race and marked Charlton’s first...
Taramansour provides locals with a win in the Pakenham Cup 2025
Taramansour produced a remarkable form reversal to hand Phillip Stokes his first victory in the Pakenham Cup, delivering an emotional local triumph. Stokes, who splits his time between his Morphettville operation and his Pakenham base, has had the Cup on his radar since establishing himself at the training centre in 2019. On...
Bargain buy Where’s The Circus dominates 2025 Inglis Nursery
Jean Van Overmeire made the right call in giving up a full provincial book at Newcastle to focus on a single Randwick mount, with Where’s The Circus landing a stunning upset in the Inglis Nursery. The filly, picked up online for just $1250, had impressed Van Overmeire when winning a recent...
Kris Lees sets sights on another summer strike
Kris Lees has frequently struck during Sydney’s summer feature program, and he will again field a strong hand across Randwick’s stakes races on Saturday. Lees’ achievements over the past decade include victories in The Ingham with Loch Eagle and Sense Of Occasion, as well as Razor Sharp Handicap wins with Special...
2025 Pakenham Cup: Browne’s roll the dice one more time
Emma-Lee and David Browne will “roll the dice” one more time with Statuario as they search for a fairytale hometown victory in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m). The Kiwi trainers shifted to Victoria in 2022 and settled into Pakenham last season, where a local Cup triumph would be particularly meaningful —...
Yorkshire out to make a summer statement in 2025 The Ingham
John O’Shea’s first major breakthrough as a solo trainer came 25 years ago when Grey And Gold captured the Villiers Stakes. He added another victory with On A High and later won the race again in its rebranded form as The Ingham (1600m) in 2022 with Kirwin’s Lane. Now a decorated horseman...
Fox on the hunt of 2025 The Supernova win
Emma-Lee and David Browne will “roll the dice” one more time with Statuario as they search for a fairytale hometown victory in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m). The Kiwi trainers shifted to Victoria in 2022 and settled into Pakenham last season, where a local Cup triumph would be particularly meaningful —...
Warm weather suits Rey Magnerio in 2025 The Gold Rush
Trainer Robbie Griffiths is already turning his attention to next autumn’s The Quokka, believing Rey Magnerio’s successful transition to Perth makes a return visit highly likely. Before that, the gelding steps into Saturday’s Group 3 The Gold Rush (1400m), his second appearance in Western Australia. Griffiths said the gelding has adapted superbly...