The Winterbottom Stakes will see a thrilling clash between Overpass and Jokers Grin at Ascot on Saturday. The $1.5 million Group 1 sprint is supported by a pair of Listed races – the Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic and the Jungle Dawn Classic.
It will be sunny and 26 degrees for the 10-race card as the rail is out eight metres for the entire circuit and they will race on a Good track.
Trent Orwin brings us his free preview and Ascot racing tips from Western Australia's metro meeting on Saturday. And don't forget to head to our racing tips page for racing coverage from all around the country this Saturday.
Ascot Racing Tips: Saturday, November 29th 2025
Race 3: Quayclean Handicap (1400m) – 1:11pm (4:11pm AEDT)
(6) Awesome Boy looks ready to win with a pair of seconds to start his campaign. Gate two is perfect for the Bruce Kay-trained four-year-old gelding who should replicate last start by leading the field. He was beaten less than half a length and looks the hardest to beat in this event. He should have a huge head start on Fast Harry who will be back in the field and that will hopefully prove the difference.
(8) Fast Harry has won four on end and continues to work through the grades in good order. It won’t be easy to reel in Awesome Boy, but if there is to be a big danger, quite clearly it is the Grant and Alana Williams-trained horse that is ridden by William Pike.
(9) Yarralea is a six-year-old mare with 51 career starts under her belt. Her last win came in January, and she has then raced frequently. She isn’t going too bad, especially last start, and could bob up in the minor money.
(6) Awesome Boy WIN
$2.50 (2 units)
Race 6: Bisley Workwear Handicap (1800m) – 3:05pm (6:05pm AEDT)
(7) Magna’s Choice appreciated stretching out to 1800m last start but needed some clear galloping room in the home straight. His fourth placed effort looked great to the eye and drawn out wider should ensure he gets clear air. At around $6, it looks a great price to find out if he can produce another good run over this distance which had been foreign territory to him before last run.
(14) The Crimson Pirate is still chasing his maiden victory with five seconds from six starts. Another 200m rise this week looks a positive and the 54.5kg weight is definitely in his favour too. He really deserves a win beside his name, and this could be the race that kicks off one of many victories in the west.
(6) Summer’s Legacy has won her past two starts, including a win over course and distance a fortnight ago. She can do some work in her races and has Pike aboard. Each-way claims in the race.
(7) Magna’s Choice WIN
$6.00 (1 unit)
Race 9: MCA Polytrack – Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) – 5:00pm (8:00pm AEDT)
(1) Overpass has won the past two Winterbottom Stakes and a hat-trick appears well within the seven-year-old gelding’s grasp. He will lead the field of nine runners and has had a nice freshen up since running fourth, just 1.5 lengths behind Ka Ying Rising in The Everest (1200m). His second up record isn’t great, although it has been more than a month since that Everest effort. Trainer Bjorn Baker and jockey Josh Parr will both give him the best chance to become the first horse to win three Winterbottom Stakes.
(2) Jokers Grin is Perth’s sprinting star with nine wins from 12 career starts for trainer Bernie Miller. Back-to-back wins at Group 3 level will have the five-year-old gelding primed for success as Patrick Carbery jumps back aboard. The question will be how far ahead in the run will Overpass be? If Jokers Grin is close enough, his closing speed will be hard to hold out – just refer to his Quokka victory.
(10) Benedetta travels over from east for star trainer Ciaron Maher and the six-year-old mare has very solid form behind the likes of Jimmysstar, Joliestar, and Giga Kick this year. Her best recent finish was fourth in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) and was a last start fifth in the Group 1 VRC Champions Sprint (1200m). Cannot be underestimated in the race.
(1) Overpass WIN
$2.50 (2 units)
