Trainer Lloyd Kennewell is hoping his classy mare Viddora did enough to gain the last slot in the 2018 $13m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 13 with her dominant win in the Moir Stakes.
Viddora, above, wins the 2018 Moir Stakes at The Valley. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Viddora powered to the line under the guidance of Joe Bowditch to make amends for last year’s narrow defeat to record a one and a quarter lengths wins in the Group 1 $500,000 Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley last night.
Viddora ($12) was able to hold off the strong finishing effort of The Everest bound Brave Smash ($11) with the $41 outsider Spright ran on strongly to fill third spot while the odds on favourite Nature Strip ($1.80) faded to finish eighth after setting a hectic pace up front.
“Hopefully that’s what they wanted to see,” Kennewell said.
“I was told she was in their top four and I think that secures it on what I saw then, if it doesn’t, what do you do to secure a slot in The Everest.
“If she doesn’t get it we’ll go to the Manikato and then maybe head overseas.”
Max Whitby and his partners hold the last open slot for The Everest and were waiting to see if the Hawkes trained Chautauqua was going to be reinstated to be allowed to race again but failed to leave the starting gates in a special barrier trial at The Valley last night, as was required by Racing New South Wales stewards, and now that the grey flash is retired and off the radar, Viddora has a very good chance of getting the nod from the last slot holders.
Bowditch settled Viddora midfield after jumping from barrier nine in the eleven horse field and the six year old mare was appreciating the hot pace set by the Darren Weir trained Nature Strip who was let slip to the front after Damian Lane couldn’t find a way to slot in and find some cover.
Viddora was eased out approaching the home turn and with a free run to the line, quickly gobbled in the tiring Nature Strip to claim her second Group 1 trophy following her win in the Group 1 $1m Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot during the 2017 – 2018 Perth Summer Carnival.
“That’ is my biggest moment in racing,” Kennewell said after Viddora won the Moir Stakes.
“It was like watching the Winterbottom all over again. We got to the corner and I felt we had the race in our keeping.”
Kennewell has only recently set up a stable at Caulfield after being based at Morphettville in Adelaide and Bowditch has followed him to set up base in Melbourne.
“I am so proud of Joe. He has moved his life over here as well. It is obviously a big step in the jockey ranks here. That will really kick him along as well as me after only being here for six weeks.”
“My biggest thrill in racing right there.”
“It has been a great ride and hopefully we can go on with it and get that slot in the Everest, I think she deserves it.”
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