Last week we saw young trainer Rhys Radford collect his first success at the top level, this week it was Lloyd Kennewell's turn to join the frame.
A luckless second in the Group 1 Moir Stakes [1000m] to begin her campaign, Viddora went on to finish fourth behind Hey Doc in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes [1200m].Kept fresh following that event, Viddora lined up on Saturday off a 36 day break and by all reports had thrived during her time in Perth.
Ridden by regular rider Joe Bowditch, Viddora relished the solid tempo, settling just worse than midfield.Into the clear on straightening, Viddora began to work through her gears before putting the race to bed passing the 100m.
Displaying a sharp turn of foot, Viddora drew clear to score by 1.5L with the Hayes and Dabernig trained Fuhryk finding the line well along the inside to finish second.The Pride of South Australia!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) 2 December 2017
Viddora bursts through to claim the Winterbottom Stakes giving trainer @KennewellRacing his first Group 1 success! A brilliant ride by @JoeBowditch
pic.twitter.com/q9Ym8xQo2G
Saturday's victory was notably her first at 1200m with five of her seven career wins being achieved short of 1100m.
It what was a gem of a ride from Joe Bowditch, Vidora returned a Timeform rating of 115, one pound below her performance in the Moir Stakes.Star sprinter Takeover Target (126) remains the highest rated winner of the Winterbottom with Ortensia (117) the highest rated mare to win the event.
Market leaders Rock Magic and State Solicitor both failed to come into contention, though the former had excuses when found to have returned lame in the off fore and with an elevated heart rate - he has been sent for a spell.State Solicitor had been a firm favourite since winning the local lead up - Colonel Reeves Stakes [1100m], but was an alarming drifter on the day ($3.50 - $5.00).
Settled midfield under the Wizard, State Solicitor failed to fire a shot in the straight and on face value was quite disappointing.A winner of nine of his 13 starts, his record is very good, however it simply highlights how well he has been placed.
Of those nine wins, eight have them had been in benchmark company or below, his victory in the Colonel Reeves Stake being his first against stakes company.No doubting he is a winner, but the bare form still lacks substance at the elite level.
At this stage State Solicitor is rated 108p by Timeform, well short of what is required to be winning a Group 1 event.Not suggesting he can't/won't make that progression, however he still has a sizable hill to climb.
While the truth lies somewhere in the middle, his betting drift on Saturday was more a market correction and a reflection of his true odds as opposed to something being amiss.State Solicitor will now press onto the Group 3 A J Scahill Stakes [1400m], his first attempt beyond 1300m which is sure to create plenty of interest.
