Morphettville trainer Lloyd Kennewell admits that his backmarker Viddora will need plenty of luck to claim a breakthrough Group 1 win in the $1m Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on Friday night.
Viddora,above, is chasing a breakthrough Group 1 win in the Manikato Stakes at The Valley. Photo by Jenny Barnes.
Viddora has been runner up twice at Group 1 level with a second to Secret Agenda in the Group 1 $1m Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville during the 2017 Adelaide Autumn Carnival and a last start nose second to She Will Reign in the Group 1 $500,000 Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on September 29.
Kennewell said that Viddora has come through that run in great style and will be at her peak for the weight for age Manikato Stakes on Friday night.
“I think she’s come on nicely, her coat’s definitely changed,” Kennewell told racing.com.
“It’s right there now – she’s at her peak which is good.
“You want to be at your peak for a weight-for-age 1200m, it’ll be a strong race.
“She’ll be right there, she just needs a little bit of luck in the run.”
Even though Viddora hasn’t won at Moonee Valley, Kennewell said she has had plenty of experience racing around the unique circuit and he has no worries about sending the I Am Invincible mare back there.
“She’s been there a lot, so she knows the place well. We’ve just got to tick every box from now until Friday night, and hopefully she can fly the flag really well,” Kennewell said.
Viddora has drawn barrier four in the twelve horse Manikato Stakes field and regular rider Joe Bowditch will be hoping for plenty of luck from the 600m mark if the five year old settles in her usual position in the second half of the field.
Viddora is at the healthy double figures odd at $18 for the Manikato Sakes at Ladbrokes.com.au who have the Lindsay Park trained Vega Magic as the short priced $2.25 favourite.
Vega Magic is racing in outstanding form with a win two starts back in the Group 1 $1m New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 2 followed by a fighting second to Redzel in the $10m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 14.
