Viddora Clear Favourite in Winterbottom Stakes Betting

A strong contingent of local sprinters will step out alongside an impressive group of interstate raiders in Saturday’s Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot. Outstanding mare Viddora broke through for a maiden win at the highest level in this race last year and has opened the $2.90 favourite in 2018 Winterbottom Stakes betting following today’s barrier draw. Viddora has been the stable start for Lloyd Kennewell throughout her entire racing career to date but has gone to another level throughout the last eighteen months and has a class edge over her Winterbottom Stakes rivals. The daughter of I Am Invincible progressed to an easy win in the Magic Millions Snippets (1100m) last summer and returned during the Adelaide Autumn Carnival for a close-up second behind fellow Winterbottom Stakes entrant Dainty Tess in the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes (1100m), but was sent to the paddock after failing to fire in The Goodwood. She resumed in spring for a dominant win in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) but simply did not handle the heavy going when tenth in The Everest (1200m) last time out. Viddora has trialled extremely well in the lead-up to this race and is the horse to beat. The locally-trained Enticing Star has been in slick form this time and has so-far received the most attention in 2018 Winterbottom Stakes betting, firming $6.50 into $6 to consolidate her position on the second line. The lightly-raced daughter of Testa Rossa has only had nine career starts so far but has won on eight occasions and is clearly the pick of the West Australians. She returned a worryingly-flat effort to finish sixth in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) last time out but will enjoy a return to her pet trip and has the notable advantage of William Pike in the saddle on Saturday. Interestingly only two other runners are currently available at Winterbottom Stakes odds of less-than $10 and there is a case to be made for both Malaguerra ($8.50) and Voodoo Lad ($9.50). Malaguerra is a two-time Group 1 winner and has trialled well in the lead-up to this race. The son of Magnus has had one start this time, however and failed to a fire a shot in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m). Voodoo Lad has returned several terrific results this time in and could prove to be the value in Winterbottom Stakes betting at his current price. The classy son of I Am Invincible won both the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) and the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) most notably through winter and spring and has had a freshen-up since his most-recent run in the Manikato Stakes.