News

Winterbottom draw points to Ortensia

16th Nov 2011

West Australian - Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Quality mare Ortensia is on track for a breakthrough Group 1 win in the Burswood Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday after drawing ideally in barrier two.

Trainer Paul Messara was thrilled with the draw for the mare and reported she had thrived since arriving in Perth eight days ago.

Ortensia, who came out of retirement to score a sensational first-up win in the Mumm Stakes at Flemington on Oaks day, won the Winterbottom in 2009 when it was a Group 2 race.

Messara has prepared Ortensia to race closer to the speed, which she should achieve from barrier two in the $500,000 sprint.

Local bookmaker Peter Cribb rated Ortensia a hot $2.30 favourite after the draw and said she could start shorter on Saturday. Player quoted her at $2.35 after the draw.

"We knew when she was right, she would race well," Messara said of Ortensia's first-up win.

"She's won the race before, has the same jockey (Craig Williams) and let's hope she can do it again.

"She travelled well, better than most of the others.

"She's quite a seasoned veteran in terms of travel, having been to Hong Kong, Brisbane and

Melbourne."

Darley sprinter Rarefied, the Winterbottom second favourite at $5.25, also drew well in seven.

Trainer Peter Snowden has been impressed with the five-year-old's return from a tendon injury which sidelined him for 18 months.

Rarefied ran a close-up second to Sister Madly in the Group 2 Salinger Stakes (1200m) at Flemington after a gutsy first-up second in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill.

"He'll be a big improver on Saturday," Snowden said. "He's got some issues but we've finally got him right.

"The draw wasn't important. He can race either way (back or forward) and ideally he would be midfield. I love the track and think it will suit him."

Grand Nirvana came up with barrier 10 and is at $8.

The claims of classy mare All Friared Up were dealt a blow when she drew barrier 12 of 14.

Full barrier draw

1 Elliotto, 2 Ortensia, 3 Avante, 4 Morant, 5 Egos Dare, 6 Werd, 7 Rarefied, 8 For Your Eyes Only, 9 Hadabeclorka, 10 Grand Nirvana, 11 The Entourage, 12 All Friared Up