Caulfield trainer Lloyd Kennewell has worked on a plan to have his Group 1 winning mare Viddora at her top to go one better than last year in the 2018 Group 1 $500,000 Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Friday night.
Viddora, above in blue colours, is primed for a good first up performance in the 2018 Moir Stakes at The Valley. Photo by Jenny Barnes.
Viddora was pipped on the post by Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign in last year’s Moir Stakes and Kennewell is hoping the judge’s decision goes his way this year.
“I think she is pretty much on par (as last year). She is a little bit more wound up for it. She is a little bit more fitter and had that extra trip to Cranbourne and we don’t want to leave any stone unturned,” Kennewell told racing.com.
“She is in really good order.
“She also had a jump out at Caulfield and a trial at Cranbourne so she is pretty fit for this.”
“We want to go into the Group 1 as good as we can be and I feel that she is spot on. Hopefully she will be right in the finish.”
“There is really good speed going to be in the race. She should be well suited as long as she can hold a reasonably position early.”
Viddora collected her first Group 1 trophy with her win in the $1m Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot during Perth’s 2017 – 2018 Summer Carnival with Joe Bowditch in the saddle and he gets the ride again in the Moir Stakes.
Bowditch will have to be at his best on Viddora who drew awkwardly at barrier nine in the thirteen horse Moir Stakes field but he might be able to keep the mare out of trouble and give her a clear run to the line.
Kennewelll took Viddora to Moonee Valley on Tuesday for her final hit out before Friday night’s Group 1 contest and was happy with the way she completed her 800m gallop.
“Really happy with her. She just worked over a half mile working gallop and finished off (last 400m) in 23 and a tick,” Kennewell said.
“Joe (Bowditch) was really happy and most importantly I was happy with the way she worked and she attacked the line nicely.”
Kennewell will wait until after the Moir Stakes to make any further Spring Carnival plans for Viddora which could include a start in the Group 1 $1m Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on October 26 and a return trip to Perth for the Winterbottom Stakes is a possibility.
An explosive win in the Moir Stakes could also see Viddora snapped up for the last available slot for the $13m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 13.
“We want to go the Manikato after this and possibly Perth. It is all about what happens this week,” Kennewell said.
“If things go right she could end up in an Everest. We will let her tell the story.”
Pre-post betting for the Moir Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au has Viddora marked at $9.50 while the Darren Weir trained Nature Strip is the short priced $2.20 favourite.
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