The 1200 metre feature was a jewel in the West Australian Group 1 crown that had eluded the grasp of the all-conquering owner-breeders, Bob and Sandra Peters.
The Winterbottom was a Group 2 event when Petite Amour (Prego {Ire}) gave the Peters family their first win in the race in 1994.
Such Peters’ sprinters of the ilk of G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Celebrity Queen (Redoute’s Choice) who finished a neck to Elite Street (Street Boss {USA}) last year and Enticing Star (Testa Rossa) ran 0.75l behind Voodoo Lad (I Am Invincible) in 2018, had gone so close.
Graceful Girl wins the G1 Winterbottom S. | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Graceful Girl upstaged her dam Avenida Madero (Metal Storm {Fr}), who was runner up to champion sprinter Miss Andretti (Ihtiram {Ire}) in the 2005 edition.
West Australian’s premier jockey William Pike was as cool as a cucumber, settling the 4-year-old mare at the back end of the 16-horse field after jumping from the widest gate.
Favourite Elite Street was running home hard hitting the front at the 150 metres, but within an instant the cerise and white colours of Graceful Girl, was spotted storming out wide.
Graceful Girl had swept past Elite Street and turned the Winterbottom finish into a procession striding away to a soft 2.75l win.
Stageman (Written Tycoon) gave Peters the race quinella, rocketing home to eclipse Elite Street, who held third spot just ahead of Laverod (Toronado {Ire}) in a thrilling finish for the minor placings.
Blinkers do the trick
Trainers Grant and Alana Williams put blinkers on Graceful Girl at her previous start, when she blazed home to run second to Elite Street in the Listed Colonel Reeves S. on November 13.
Grant Williams said Graceful Girl was earmarked for the Winterbottom after her brilliant win in the Listed Raconteur S. at Belmont Park on June 5.
Grant and Alana Williams with the Winterbottom trophy | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“During the winter months she was going so well that we thought she would be our Winterbottom horse,” Williams said.
“We were lucky that she did qualify in the end, because of her low rating (92). She has been a little bit soft along the way and Bob has been taking her home to his Keysbrook Stud and looking after her.
“We were concerned about her getting so far back in her races, that we thought we would put the blinkers on her to help concentrate better.
“That was super, what she did today.”
“We were concerned about her getting so far back in her races, that we thought we would put the blinkers on her to help concentrate better. That was super, what she did today." - Grant Williams
Peters and team Williams are now raging favourites to be the first to complete the Ascot Group 1 treble with their star Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) the $1.55 favourite to win the Drummond Golf Kingston Town Classic after his colossal 4l demolition in last Saturday’s G1 Railway S.
Peters has gone close to winning the treble in recent years, with victories in the Railway and Kingston Town through the deeds of Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) and Truly Great (Dundeel {NZ}) last year, and Regal Power (Pierro) and Arcadia Queen (Pierro) in 2018.
Bob Peters remained cautious about his chances of becoming the first to win the treble.
“It is very nice to win the Winterbottom as a Group 1,” Peters said.
“I kept away from the barrier draw on Tuesday because I am not lucky at drawing good gates. When Colin Brown (Perth Racing chair) drew 15 (Stageman) and 18 (Graceful Girl) I thought the plan didn’t work.
“But it has all panned out okay.
“We thought the pace would be on up front and the back markers would be running home. She had to be ridden cold and let out to the back of the field, because that is the pattern she likes. Her dam Avenida Madero liked to drop out and fly home too."
Pike excited by win
Pike had won the Winterbottom twice before on Ellicorsam (Fimiston) and Hadabeclorka (Hurricane Sky) in 2004 and 2010, when the race was Group 2.
“With Graceful Girl drawn such a wide barrier the pressure came off me,” Pike said.
“But I guess the barrier played out well for her in the end. I have tried to win the Group 1 treble in the past and gone close.
“This looks to be my best year to do it. I know Western Empire is good enough.”
An elated William Pike and Graceful Girl | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
For trainer Dan Morton, who had such high aspirations saddling the two hot-shots Elite Street and Wilchino (Maschino), the race turned into a nightmare.
Elite Street, who was chasing a fourth straight win, pulled up bleeding from both his nostrils and was stood down for a mandatory three months by stewards.
Wilchino, who was chasing her seventh straight win, had led the field after being slow away into and half way down the straight, but she compounded quickly, finishing last.
A veterinary examination found the 5-year-old mare was suffering from a slightly elevated heart rate.
Neither was it a fairy-tale end for grand Group 1 campaigner Rock Magic, who was a victim of interference and was checked at the 150 metres, but the 12-year-old still managed to fight on and ran a brave ninth at his final start to a 62-start career.
Drama on eve of raceday
Perth Racing had to send out an SOS to find staff to work at the barrier gates after 11 barrier attendants walked off the job jeopardising the feature Ascot fixture.
The club quickly found replacement barrier staff to fill the gaps appealing to experienced trainers and ex-jockeys who had worked on the gates to lend a hand.
The Day 2 of The Masters series was saved with the meeting concluding without incident at the starting gates. A spokesman for the attendants said the barrier staff were frustrated regarding a pay claim lodged last year.
Perth Racing said there were discussions with barrier staff over their pay claims and their current pay was in adherence to their agreement.
The club is due to hold final day of The Masters series next Saturday, with the running of the G1 Kingston Town Classic.
