Viddora as Good as Last Year says Kennewell

Posted on November 28, 2018 | Posted by Julio Santarelli

Viddora’s hopes of defending her Winterbottom Stakes crown was given a major boost after she drew perfectly for the Group 1 feature race.

The Lloyd Kennewell-trained mare consolidated her grip on favouritism, firming from $3.40 to $3.00, after drawing barrier five in the $1 million sprint.

Kennewell said Viddora deserved her position at the head of the market.

“I think she is the best horse in the race,” Kennewell told TABradio.

“She is the defending champ and is in very good order.”

Viddora won last year’s Winterbottom Stakes after a runner-up finish in the Moir Stakes (1000m) and a fourth placing in the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

Her preparation 12-months on includes winning the Moir Stakes before coming undone on a heavy track last-start in The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 13.

Kennewell believes Viddora is reaching her peak and is working as good as she was 12-months ago when she claimed her first Group 1 victory in the Winterbottom Stakes.

“There is not much difference to last year,” Kennewell said.

“She went to the Manikato last year and The Everest this year.

“She is a well-seasoned traveller and had a real nice gallop yesterday (Tuesday).

“She had a good blow after track work and still has a bit in the tank

“She ran 23.30 up the straight last year and ran 23.50 this year.

“It looks identical to last year’s work.”

Viddora, a winner at nine of 28 starts, will be ridden by Joe Bowditch.

The gun mare is out to become the seventh dual winner of the Winterbottom Stakes and fourth to go back-to-back, joining Hardrada (2002-2003), Belinda’s Star (1975-76) and La Trice (1970-71).

The other multiple winners were Asteroid. who won in 1953 and 1955, Ortensia in 2009 and 2011 before Queensland star Buffering took out his two races in 2013 and 2015.