Viddora spelling in UK ahead of return

Australian mare Viddora has had to go to England after racing in Hong Kong under quarantine rules.

The career of international traveller Viddora is in limbo with the mare currently in England having a spell.

Viddora has raced in Dubai and Hong Kong at her past two starts but has been prevented from returning directly to Australia, a cause of frustration for her trainer Lloyd Kennewell.

The mare finished fourth in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on March 30 before beating one runner home in the Chairman’s Sprint at Sha Tin on April 28.

Fellow Melbourne-trained galloper Santa Ana Lane finished fourth in the Chairman’s Sprint and has travelled directly back to Australia following his Hong Kong effort.

Australian quarantine regulations require horses travelling from Hong Kong to Australia to spend 180 days in a third country.

Those rules were relaxed in March for Australian horses travelling to Hong Kong to race and then returning home straight away.

As Viddora raced in Dubai before Hong Kong she is one of those required to spend 180 days in a third country before returning home.

“There’s nothing we can do about it,” Kennewell said.

“She won’t be running in England. She’ll be having a spell.

“There’s a chance they might lift the ban, don’t know when, which would allow her back earlier.”

Kennewell and the team had been considering a start at Royal Ascot in June but the trainer said she would not happen and a decision on her career was pending.

“She’ll have a good break and then we’ll work out what we’re going to do,” Kennewell said.

“I’ll speak to the owners and see what they want to do.

“Whether its the breeding season, or push on to racing, we’ve still got plenty of the time.”