The 2014 Winterbottom Stakes barrier draw has been conducted and leading chances Angelic Light and Moment Of Change are set to get a lovely run into the race after drawing ideally in barriers four and five respectively.
Angelic Light remains a clear favourite in 2014 Winterbottom Stakes betting markets following the barrier draw for the Group 1 event. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Angelic Light has been a clear favourite in Winterbottom Stakes betting since the final field was released on Monday afternoon and she may never have a better chance of recording a maiden win at Group 1 level following the positive barrier draw.
The Holy Roman Emperor mare has been one of the most consistent sprinters during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival and she was only narrowly denied a Group 1 victory in both the Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 26 and the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at the same venue on October 24.
Moment Of Change jumped from barrier nine when he finished an unlucky second behind Buffering in the 2013 Winterbottom Stakes and he will start four gates closer to the inside in the 2014 edition of the race.
The Barely A Moment gelding returned from injury with a close eighth in the Manikato Stakes and he was far from disgraced when fifth in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 8; a performance that trainer Peter Moody believes is good enough to win the Winterbottom Stakes.
Sidestep is another horse in the 2014 Winterbottom Stakes field that fared well in the barrier draw and he will jump from barrier two, while connections of enigmatic galloper Bel Sprinter were thrilled to select barrier eight for the Group 1 winner.
The biggest loser from the Winterbottom Stakes barrier draw was Jim Taylor-trained Magnifisio and she jump from towards the outside of the field after drawing barrier 11.
Magnifisio returned to the races with a fourth place finish behind Elite Belle in the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on October 25 and stamped herself as a genuine Winterbottom Stakes contender when she scored a narrow win in the Group 2 Warora-Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at the same venue on November 8.
Shining Knight worked his way into Winterbottom Stakes calculations with a tough win in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m), but will also need a bit of luck after drawing a wide gate, while the likes of last start winner Éclair Big Bang (barrier nine), consistent gelding Testamezzo (barrier ten) and Chris Gangemi-trained Rock Magic (barrier 13) will also start from the second half of the field.
Angelic Light ($3) remains a clear favourite in Winterbottom Stakes betting markets from Moment Of Change ($4.40), Sidestep ($7) and Magnifisio ($7.50).
