VIDDORA GIVEN THE ALL CLEAR TO TAKE HER PLACE IN THE CHAIRMAN'S SPRINT PRIZE AT SHA TIN ON SUNDAY

By Graham Potter | Saturday, April 27, 2019

Viddora will take her place in the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The Lloyd Kennewell trained mare had been under an injury cloud for the latter part of the week after the two-time Group 1 winner had kicked out and bruised a tendon in a hind leg which swelled up, needing treatment.

Speaking yesterday morning Kennewell said (as reported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club), “Seventy-two hours ago we were on the canvas, yesterday after being knocked down we got up off the canvas and I reckon today we’re looking pretty good to be honest.”

“We’re pretty close now. I’m pretty confident we’re going to get there. She’s gone from 20-80 to 50-50 to 70-30 yesterday, to 85-15 today. We’ve just got to make sure she pulls up well and gets through when she has a (final) vet check.”

That confidence ultimately proved to be well founded with the Hong Kong Jockey Clubs stewards issuing the following statement this morning.

‘VIDDORA, trained by Mr Lloyd Kennewell and which is declared for the stated race (The Chairman’s Sprint Prize), has this morning undergone its routine pre-race veterinary inspection. Dr Curl has advised that VIDDORA is suitable to race.’

While obviously happy with that outcome, Kennewell did point out that that Viddora’s setback did have an impact on her planned training schedule.

“Unfortunately, we’re going in slightly underdone without another gallop,” Kennewell said. “Luckily she got here early and had a good gallop last week. She’s just missed a gallop. It’s a sprint race, she’s a sprinter and I’d much rather go in underdone than give her a gallop when she wasn’t right to go.

“She runs extremely well when fresh. I can tell you she’s a little bit ‘pushy and shovey and when she’s like that and that’s how she’s been the last few days … she’s well. She’s very bright in the eye. She’s waiting for a gallop and her gallop will be Sunday.”

*****************************************************************************************************

The connections of the Frankie Lor trained Mr Stunning were not as fortunate. The Exceed And Excel gelding, who claimed back to back victories in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint in 2017 and 2018, was withdrawn from his Sunday assignment as notified in the following stewards report.

‘It was previously advised that MR STUNNING (V153), trained by Mr Frankie Lor and which is declared for the stated race (The Chairman’s Sprint Prize), was noted to be lame in its right front leg on Friday, 26 April 2019.

'Dr Peter Curl, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulation and Welfare has today advised the Stewards that MR STUNNING remains lame in its right front leg. Accordingly, MR STUNNING has been withdrawn from the stated race by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice.'

More articles