Winterbottom Stakes Tips - Joker to have the last laugh in the Winterbottom

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: 26 Nov 2025

Adam Cusworth 26 Nov 2025

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Jokers Grin and Overpass are key contenders in the 2025 Winterbottom Stakes.
Jokers Grin's speed and timing offer an advantage over second-up Overpass.
Rope Them In stands as a strong value bet with proven Group 1-level performance.

Expired

Overpass will be going for a hat-trick of wins in the Winterbottom Stakes (Getty Images)

2025 Winterbottom Stakes Preview

2025 Winterbottom Stakes Preview
2025 Winterbottom Stakes Speed Map
2025 Winterbottom Stakes Best Bet
2025 Winterbottom Stakes Value Bet

The 2025 Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) shapes as a genuine Ascot blockbuster with the local fancy, Jokers Grin, squaring off against the Sydneysider, Overpass, who will be trying to etch his name into legend.

11 runners have accepted and it is Jokers Grin and Overpass vying for favouritism.

Overpass is chasing an unprecedented three-peat after already conquering WA’s biggest sprint features — two Quokkas and two Winterbottoms — across the last three years. His Everest run when 4th to the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, saw him go 11 lengths faster than standard benchmark and he maps to lead from gate three with total control.

Jokers Grin knocked over Overpass in the The Quokka in the autumn and holds favouritism after claiming the Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) at his last start, going 14.5 lengths faster than standard when launching late off a brutal tempo

But the Winterbottom will not necessarily be a matchrace. Oscar’s Fortune was a fraction unlucky behind Joker’s Grin when runner-up in the Colenel Reeves, while Rey Magnerio is one of four that come over from th eastern seaboard after an unlucky 3rd down the Flemington straight last time.

The query remains as to whether he can produce over the 1200m at Group 1 weight-for-age but he gets the services of the local gun jockey, Willie Pike, who picked up the Railway Stakes (1600m) last weekend.

The X-factor belongs to Luana Miss, the three-year-old filly with a nine-length-above-benchmark peak rating over 1000m earlier this prep. She gets the big weight pull, she has that electric “launch late” style, and she’ll be charging if they overcook it up front.

Rope Them In is the smokey. He smashed the Crawford Stakes going 10 lengths faster than standard first up and then franked that when splitting two Group 1 winners over 1400m. The drop back to 1200m is ideal, the run last start was enormous, and he brings one of the most potent recent figures in the race.

Others add depth, including Benedetta, who is a Group 1 mare capable of a spike third-up. Libertad, Spacewalk, Repossession and Man Crush are other chances.

2025 Winterbottom Stakes Speed Map

Overpass kicks up from barrier 3 and should find the lead without burning. Man Crush likely rolls forward to sit outside him. Oscar’s Fortune tucks in just off them from gate 5. Spacewalk gets the dream smother behind the leaders from barrier 1. Jokers Grin lands midfield one-off, perfect stalking position.

Rope Them In and Benedetta face trickier maps from wide draws, likely drifting back but trying to find cover. Rey Magnerio, Luana Miss, and Repossession all blend in behind midfield or backmarker roles depending on tempo.

Expect the tempo to be solid. It may not be the same brutal speed as the Colonel Reeves, but enough genuine pressure to ensure they at least go at an even tempo and the backmarkers should have their chance if Overpass doesn’t get it all his own way.

2025 Winterbottom Stakes Best Bet

Jokers Grin brings the perfect local platform, the best recent benchmark figure in the race (14.5 lengths faster than standard in the Colonel Reeves), and the proven Ascot 1200m killer instinct. He’s smashed Oscar’s Fortune twice this prep and beat Overpass in the Quokka when both were fully wound up.

He gets a perfect midfield trail, avoids the risk of being softened up on speed, and his ability to quicken off a strong tempo is unmatched in this field.

He’s also shown he can hold his figures deep into a campaign — something Overpass historically needs an extra run to peak for. With Overpass second-up and Jokers Grin third-up, the timing plays into his hands.

Everything about the map says he gets last crack. Everything about the figures says he’s already produced the run that wins this race. He’s the horse with the fewest queries and the most upside.

2025 Winterbottom Stakes Value Bet

Rope Them In is absolutely airborne.

His first-up win in the Crawford Stakes rated 10 lengths faster than standard, a figure that stacks up extremely well against the big guns. His last-start 1400m run was franked immediately when Watch Me Rock won the Railway and Cosmic Crusader won the Carbine Club — meaning Rope Them In split two elite horses while going up in trip.

He’s far better suited at 1200m, and while the wide gate isn’t ideal, he only needs three-wide cover to produce a booming finish. His peak figures say he’s capable of matching it with the locals, and if the eastern states pair don’t fire, he’s the one who can blow up the trifectas.

He brings genuine Group 1-level numbers into a race where only two or three others can say the same.

Verdict

Winterbottom Stakes

Winterbottom Stakes Racing Tips

Joker's Grin (Best)

Winterbottom Stakes

@8/5 - 1 Unit

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Rope Them In (Value)

Winterbottom Stakes

@12/1 - 1 Unit

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