Endless Drama to perform for the Kiwis in 2019 Winterbottom Stakes

Kiwi sprinter Endless Drama is set to deliver a first class performance for New Zealand when he takes his place in the Group 1 $1m Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.

Endless Drama is yet to win at Group 1 level but the Tony Pike trained eight year old did beat New Zealand’s top rated mare, ten times Group 1 winner Melody Belle, when he took out the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa in New Zealand on August 17.

Melody Belle finished in fourth spot that day while subsequent Cox Plate third placegetter Te Akau Shark was runner up to Endless Drama.

Endless Drama will be Pike’s first runner in Perth and he has reported that the mare has travelled over in great order and has settled in well.

“I’ve never taken a horse to Perth before or been there myself so it’s new to me,” Pike told NZ Racing Desk.

“Leith Innes is going over to ride him and we’re heading over on Wednesday.

“Mark Hills took him over and he rides him in all his work here at home so he knows him well. He worked him on the course proper at Ascot on Saturday morning and was rapt with his work.”

“It looked a nice option for him and outside of Melbourne it’s a tier down.”

Fifteen horses make up the final field for the Winterbottom Stakes and Kiwi jockey Leith Innes will make the trip to Perth to continue his association with Endless Drama.

Stradbroke Handicap winner Trekking is one of three runners for trainer James Cummings and heads the Winterbottom Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au at $3 while Endless Drama is marked at $15.

Betting for the 2019 Winterbottom Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3 Trekking, $5.50 Flirtini, $6.50 Vital Silver, $8 Hey Doc, $10 Valour Road, $12 Stageman, $14 Dubious, $15 Endless Drama, Home Of The Brave, Viridine, $19 Malaguerra, $26 Misty Metal, Rock Magic, $31 Spirit Of Valor, $81 Durendal.

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