Annabel Neasham, Rob Archibald chasing second G1 win in Winterbottom Stakes

After Port Lockroy’s impressive win in the Group 1 Railway Stakes at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald feel confident about their chances of winning the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes with Lady Laguna this weekend.

The daughter of Overshare finished 10th in her last start in the Champions Sprint at Flemington. However the betting sites have Lady Laguna ($5) as third favourite to win the Winterbottom Stakes, just behind the favourite Overpass ($2.70) and Western Empire ($4.80).

‘Big race’ for Group 1 winner

Speaking ahead of the Winterbottom Stakes to TABradion this week, trainer Rob Archibald spoke about how Lady Laguna has adapted to life in Perth and her Winterbottom Stakes chances.

“She’s good and has had a couple of nice pieces of work,” Archibald said.

“I can’t fault her and hopefully she can bounce back after she was obviously disappointing down the straight in Melbourne (in the Champions Sprint).”

It will take work and a good ride from jockey James McDonald, but Archibald says a win is definitely possible for his mare.

“She’ll have to be right at her top, but she should run a big race,” he said.

Overpass big favourite

One of the biggest obstacles that will be in Lady Laguna’s way on Saturday is Overpass.

The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding has a remarkable unbeaten record in Perth. The six-year-old has won all three of his starts in Perth, including last year’s Winterbottom Stakes and the multi-million dollar The Quokka.

Given his record, Overpass is the overwhelming Winterbottom Stakes favourite in 2024. The betting apps give him $2.70 chances of winning the $1,500,000 race.

As good as Overpass has been at Perth, he also underwhelmed in the Champions Sprint. The Group 1 winner finished 8th in the marquee Melbourne Spring Carnival event.

Before that race, Overpass finished first in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes at Randwick.

Archibald admitted that Overpass will be Lady Laguna’s biggest threat on Saturday. The trainer said Overpass was in “good order” and that Lady Laguna will “have to be at her very best” to beat him.

Bravo Centurion planning for dream run

While Lady Laguna and Overpass are clear favourites for the Winterbottom Stakes, Bravo Centurion is one of the outsiders at $10 odds.

However, his trainer, Greg Beauglehold, says that he is allowing himself to dream ahead of the big race on Saturday.

“I’m not a trainer going around to make up the numbers,” he said.

“This is a dream for me to be in a Group 1. He’s in form and you have to be in it to win it.”

Experienced jockey Chris Parnham will ride Bravo Centurion on Saturday.