What the Winterbottom barrier draw means for Overpass, Western Empire and other key hopes

The barrier draw for the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday has been conducted.

There were mixed results for the top few in the market in particular with reigning champ and current favourite Overpass drawing wide in 16.

Western Australian form guru Peter Anthonisz has outlined the reasons why he feels the draw is less than ideal for Bjorn Baker’s Perth conqueror who has won three from three at Ascot.

“It’s not ideal and there does look to be plenty of speed drawn out wide,” he said on SENTrack’s Best From The West.

“So for a horse like Overpass, he’s really going to have to be able to follow Bravo Centurion across, hope that runner crosses to lead and them Josh Parr can sit there in the breeze.

“To be fair, that’s what Overpass has done his last two starts at Ascot. He’s managed to settle outside the leader, not a particularly good speed and then angle himself wider towards the straight and get those better lanes.

“I wouldn’t say it’s game over for Overpass just because he’s got the visitor’s draw of 16. He’s priced well and truly short enough and there still has to be a little bit of a query on that last-start performance at Flemington (when 8th of 12 in the Champions Sprint).”

Baker could at least see the humorous side of the horror draw for Overpass.

“16 is a long way out. I don’t think he’s starting out west, he’s starting from Africa he’s that far west,” he joked on SENTrack.

Immediately the Sportsbet market with Overpass drifting slightly out to $2.90 while Western Empire has firmed into $4.60 second favourite after drawing barrier 4.

Anthonisz expects the gap between the pair to shorten the closer we get to the race on Saturday.

He also felt the draw of barrier 6 was favourable for Victorian raider Maharba who is currently priced at $9.

“Western Empire drawn in four, he’s got three horses inside of him that will all have similar jumping speeds,” he said of Grant and Alana Williams’ star.

“(Willie) Pike should be able to stay off the fence early.

“I also like the draw for Maharba in six. I think both of these runners are looking for midfield, maybe just worse than midfield, get that good tempo and try to get an angle wide into the straight.

“I would expect him (Western Empire) to challenge for favouritism.

“His first-up run put the writing on the wall, he was really good over the last 200m, his last 400m was sound.

“Now 1200m is the bottom end of his (distance) range, but with the speed on paper, surely he’s going to get enough tempo to get the best asset he has and that’s his ability to finish off with a sustained rain.

“I have to say that he has to shorten between now and jump time. Overpass will drift to some extent.”

Third favourite for the race, Lady Laguna ($4.80), drew awkwardly in barrier 1 for James McDonald.

The last horse to win the Winterbottom from the inside gate was the great Takeover Target back in 2008.

Others in the market including Bravo Centurion ($10) drew 15 and Rope Them In ($13) drew 9. Red Can Man, who can fourth last year from barrier 10, drew 11 and is currently at $101.

A field of 16 will contest the $1.5 million Winterbottom at Ascot on Saturday.

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