Viddora heads to Perth to chase G1 win

Viddora has been knocking on the door of a Group One win and gets her next chance in the $1 million Winterbottom Stakes in Perth.

The Lloyd Kennewell-trained Viddora was among a host of horses who arrived in Perth on a flight from Melbourne on Monday morning ahead of Group One races at Ascot on the next three consecutive Saturdays.

Topping the bill at Ascot this weekend is the $1 million Group One Railway Stakes (1600m).

The following Saturday is highlighted by the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) with the $1 million Kingston Town Classic (1800m) a week later.

The Adelaide-trained Viddora was second in the Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville in May and and again in the Moir Stakes (1000m) at Group One level in September at Moonee Valley.

She then finished fourth in the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 27.

“We thought we won the Moir first-up, it looked like she’d won, and got beaten a lip,” Kennewell said.

“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.”

Kennewell said Viddora had settled in well after the flight.

“She looks the ideal horse for a Winterbottom, so we’re hoping everything just goes according to plan in the next 12 days,” he said.

Local sprinter State Solicitor is the $3.60 favourite for the Winterbottom ahead of Viddora at $4.60.

Perth sprinter Rock Magic, who competed in Melbourne during the spring, was also on the flight and is at $6.50 for the Winterbottom.

The Darren Weir-trained Black Heart Bart and Ulmann are among the strong eastern states contenders for Saturday’s Railway.