Consistent race mare Viddora will be chasing a Maiden Group 1 win when she lines up in the $1m Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot in Perth on December 2.
Viddora, above, is one of the main chances in the 2017 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot in Perth. Photo by Jenny Barnes.
VIddora was denied a Group 1 victory by the narrowest of margins when the fast finishing She Will Reign gained the judge’s decision in a deceptive photo finish in the Group 1 $500,000 Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on September 29.
The Lloyd Kennewell trained mare was also runner up at her previous start on her home track in the Group 1 $1m Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 6.
Viddora will head to Perth on the back of a last start fourth to Hey Doc in the Group 1 $1m Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on October 27 and Kennewell is looking forward to giving her a chance to claim Group 1 glory.
“We thought we won the Moir first-up, it looked like she’d won, and got beaten a lip,” Kennewell told AAP.
“Then she just had no luck the other night in the Manikato. Joe Bowditch hopped on the back of Vega Magic who eventually stopped in front of him around the corner when he needed to be out and going. She just didn’t have any luck otherwise I think she runs first or second.
“She’s in really good order and I’m really looking forward to the Winterbottom.”
“She looks the ideal horse for a Winterbottom, so we’re hoping everything just goes according to plan in the next 12 days.”
Early betting for the Winterbottom Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au has Viddora as the $4 second favourite behind the top local sprinter State Solicitor who heads the market order at $3.
The Grant and Alana Williams trained State Solicitor is the winner of his last three starts, his latest in the Group 3 $150,000 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) at Ascot on November 18.
Early betting for the Winterbottom Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3 State Solicitor, $4 Viddora, $6 Rock Magic, $8 Santa Ana Lane, $11 Fuhryk, $15 Dainty Tess, $21 Durendal, Whispering Brook, $41 Bourne Supremacy, Dream Lifter, Ellicazoom, Malibu Style, Ocean Jewel, Profit Street, Variation, $67 or better the rest.