News Detail
Bottas drives to victory at Wagga
The well-named Bottas, named after co-owner and F1 driver Valtteri Bottas, landed a win that would make the Cadillac driver proud as punch.
A timely result as Valtteri Bottas gears up for Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, the Craig Widdison-trained Bottas, known fondly as ‘VB’, stormed down the outside for Cory Parish when triumphing in the 1600m Class One/Maiden Plate at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club.
Well-supported from 25/1 to 9/1, the 3YO Tagaloa gelding landed a popular result on Wagga’s big SDRA Championships Qualifier meeting.
Valtteri Bottas, who’s in Adelaide in the lead-up to Sunday’s F1 opening round race at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit, still found time to celebrate the victory on social media.
“First one of many! Well done to everyone involved,” he wrote on Craig Widdison’s Instagram post.
For Widdison, it was a good result for a galloper that he has a lot of time for.
“I’ve always had a big rap on him,” Widdison said.
“I actually backed him at his first start over 1200m as he works well enough and his trials were good enough, but he gets to race day, and he’s a bit dour,” Widdison said.
“Over a bit more ground and with blinkers on, we knew he was going to be better suited, but we still thought he needed a bit further.
“It was a good win from that position, as he probably wasn’t entitled to win, but once he got clear air, he attacked the line.”
Widdison praised Parish for having Bottas primed for a strong finish.
“He is a big horse, and to pick himself up that close to the post, it was a good effort,” Widdison said.
“Cory being on him and knowing him well helped, as he never panicked, and had him on the bit and travelling when they found that clear air.”
Next up, Bottas will race at Albury over their carnival.
“There is a 2000m Class One showcase during the Albury carnival, and we’ll go there with him,” Widdison said.
It’s been a good period for the Wodonga stable, who landed a victory at Albury on Monday with Needawinna (Ella Bent) too good in the 1000m Maiden Handicap.
This Saturday, the stable’s attention turns to Towong and Corowa, with Grey Lad and Blushing Tycoon nominated for both the Towong and Corowa Cups, along with a variety of other chances in accompanying races.
Words/Image: Jeff Hanson
