Local Morphettville horseman Lloyd Kennewell believes his class mare and track specialist Viddora is in “pristine order” for her shot at 2018 The Goodwood success on Saturday.
Money is coming in 2018 The Goodwood betting for Group 1 winning mare Viddora to salute at her home track. Photo: Jenny Barnes.
The five-year-old daughter of I Am Invincible lines-up at her home course for the 12th time chasing win number five in the Group 1 $1 million Darley Goodwood (1200m).
Viddora has the best record at the track of any horse in the capacity 20 starter field with four wins and three seconds from 11 goes.
She comes off a lead-up second when a half-length beaten fresh on April 21 in the Group 3 R N Irwin Stakes (1100m), a race she won the previous Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival.
Twelve months ago Viddora backed-up from that win to place second to Secret Agenda in the group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) against a field of fellow mares.
Her subsequent form has been nothing short of brilliant with a first-up second in the spring to She Will Reign at The Valley in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) and a fourth to Hey Doc next-up in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m).
A long awaited Group 1 success of her own followed when Viddora headed west to Perth for December’s Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) that she blitzed by one and a half lengths.
The summer concluded at the Gold Coast in Queensland when the mare enjoyed another big win, this time dominating the $1 million Magic Millions Sprint (1200m) with a two and a quarter-length success in mid-January.
Now second-up she takes on the autumn’s top sprinters in The Goodwood, Viddora drawn barrier 11 with Joe Bowditch continuing his successful association with the consistent $2 million earner.
Both Bowditch and Kennewell chase their maiden wins in The Goodwood and the latest markets at Ladbrokes.com.au have Viddora at $7.50 and firming.
She is the genuine market mover having been backed in from $10 to join Velocitea (2010), Black Caviar (2012) and Platelet (2013) as The Goodwood winning mares since 2005.
Original plans were to run Viddora in the Robert Sangster Stakes gain, but she was a late scratching the evening prior due to hind leg injury incurred in the stable.
Kennewell remains confident that the setback a fortnight ago won’t stop Viddora on Saturday, the mare back to her best and ready to fly.
“She’s in absolutely pristine order. I couldn’t be happier,” Kennewell told The Advertiser.
“If anything, she’s a little bit better [than before the Sangster] because there’s that month between runs we know she loves. I’m really looking forward to Saturday now.
“The barrier looks fine. It’s up to Joe to do his thing on her now. He’s just got to ride his race and see how it all unfolds.
“She should get a nice run and hopefully she’s strong late and can overpower them.
“If everything goes according to plan, I think she’s going to be right in the finish.”
Last year’s winner Vega Magic remains the $3 favourite in The Goodwood betting at Ladbrokes.com.au despite her wide barrier 14 draw and 59kg top weight.
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