CHARTER KECK CRAMER

MOIR STAKES (GROUP 1)

THE Lloyd Kennewell-trained Viddora made up for her narrow defeat in last year’s Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley by stamping a decisive victory over her 10 rivals in this year’s edition.

DOMINATED

The 1,000-metre sprint was dominated by Darren Weir’s Everest prospect Nature Strip who was on course record pace before fading to a four-and-a-half-length eighth once tackled by Viddora on the bend.

Joe Bowditch had timed his run with aplomb, breaking clear of the pack as the I Am Invincible mare was over a length clear of the Tosen Phantom horse Brave Smash and the Hinchinbrook mare Spright.

Viddora has secured a start in The Everest after her ownership group reached an agreement with slot-holder Damion Flower of Jadeskye Racing.

NATURE STRIP DROPPED

After Nature Strip’s dissapointing run in the Moir Stakes, the Australian Turf Club has dropped Nature Strip as their slot horse.

The ATC subsequently confirmed that the James Cummings-trained Home Of The Brave will now represent them in the A$13 million showpiece at Randwick

Max Whitby and Neil Werrett’s slot was given to the three-year-old Star Witness colt Graff, third in the Group 1 Golden Rose two weeks ago.

Chautauqua retired

THE eight-year-old Encosta De Lago gelding Chautauqua, an earner of over A$8.8 million for connections, has been retired. A six-time Group 1 winner, including the 2016 Chairman’s Sprint at Sha Tin, Chautauqua was given one last official barrier trial between races at Moonee Valley’ Moir Stakes night.

As he’d been trying to tell those close to him in the eight barrier trials preceding that night, where he’d been sitting in the gates and not jumping with the field or simply refusing, he’s done with racing. The grey flash was given a rousing reception by fans as he exited the track, but will be at Flemington this Saturday where fans will be able to cheer him into retirement when he parades in the mounting yard one last time.