Viddora on Track for Winterbottom Stakes

Posted on November 13, 2018 | Posted by Julio Santarelli

Viddora has come through her latest preparation in good order as the build-up to her Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) defence starts to ramp up in earnest.

Viddora stepped out in a Cranbourne barrier trial on Monday morning and won her 990m heat comfortably, pleasing trainer, Lloyd Kennewell.

“It was very good and what we expected,” Kennewell told TABradio.

“There wasn’t a hell of a lot of speed, but she jumped nicely.

“She railed underneath them and Joe (Bowditch) never left her out of second gear.

“She won by two or three lengths very comfortably, so very happy with that.

“She had a nice little blow out and it was her first real hit out since last week.

“She’s had one real gallop since The Everest and is right on track now.”

Viddora ran 10th of 12 in The Everest at Randwick, but the heavy 9 track rating conspired against her performing anywhere near her best.

It followed a brilliant sprint in Melbourne when she won the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley in scintillating fashion.

Kennewell said The Everest took its toll on Viddora, but she recovered well and will be at her best for next month’s Winterbottom Stakes.

“Like probably all the horses in the race she pulled up a little bit tired and worse for wear on that afternoon,” Kennewell said.

“She had 48 hours to recover in Sydney, we delayed the float to give her that time to recover and she picked up terrific.

“She got back home and you wouldn’t even know she had a trip to Sydney since that day.

“I’m extremely happy with her and gave her that one gallop last week to tune her up before the trial.

“It was probably a little bit similar if not better than when she trialled heading into the Moir (Stakes) first-up.”

Viddora has replaced local hero Enticing Star as favourite for the Winterbottom after the Perth galloper suffered her first defeat in Saturday’s Lee Steere Stakes (1400m).

Viddora is at $3.90 and Enticing Star $4.60. Ball Of Muscle ($7), Dainty Tess ($8.50) and Malaguerra ($9) are also in single figures.

Kennewell said he expects Enticing Star to rebound from her first loss.

“It’s unfair on Enticing Star to draw a line on how it went on Saturday,” Kennewell said.

“You would think good horses bounce back.

“My query is the 1200m against super quality horses at weight-for-age level.”