A good barrier draw and a smart gallop on Tuesday has classy Adelaide mare Viddora ready to claim her first Group 1 success in the $1m Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.
VIddora, above, has drawn nicely at barrier 7 in the 2017 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot. Photo by Jenny Barnes.
Trainer Lloyd Kennewell was pleased with barrier seven in the Winterbottom Stakes field that has been reduced to twelve runners with the early scratching of The River.
“I wanted five, six or seven so I’m very happy,” Kennewell told The West Australian.
“It looks like the speed is outside us and she should get a good cart along.
“She’s in great order. Of the interstaters I think we’re the one to beat but you can’t underestimate the locals on their home track.”
The leading Morphettville trainer also reported that the I Am Invincible mare galloped impressively on the Ascot course proper on Tuesday morning.
“She worked well,’’ Kennewell said.
“It was pretty much a standard gallop for her. She pace worked over 1400m, went 1000m at evens and ran 23 and a tick (seconds) up the straight, it was nice solid work.’’
“She looks really well.’’
“She had a good blow after her gallop which is pretty normal for her.
“She’s a good eater, she licks the bin every night and she should be good for Saturday.’’
Joe Bowditch has been aboard Viddora for her last three starts, all at Group 1 level, and gets the ride again in the Winterbottom Stakes.
Viddora was given a break after running second to Secret Agenda in the Group 1 $1m Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 6 and then resumed for the closest of seconds to She Will Reign in the Group 1 $500,000 Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on September 29.
The five year old mare had one more run before heading to Perth for a fourth to Hey Doc in the Group 1 $1m Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on October 27.
“She’s probably got the best form in the race, we just have to hope she has no bad luck in the race,’’ Kennewell said.
“You never disrespect the locals, they’re on their home deck and they’ll be hard to beat.’’
In early betting for the Winterbottom Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au Viddora is on the second line at $4.20 behind the local sprinter State Solicitor at $2.90.
The Grant and Alana Williams trained State Solicitor has drawn barrier four with Perth’s leading rider William Pike in the saddle.
