Trainer Kendrick can't split stable mates

By Glenn Davis

Promising stable mates Avolonte and Maximum Output blotted their copybooks at their respective last starts but trainer Stu Kendrick is hopeful the pair can redeem themselves at Ipswich on Wednesday.

Avolonte, a Robbie Fradd mount, and Maximum Output, who will be ridden by James Orman, are both acceptors in the Class 5 Handicap over 1100 metres.

Orman currently leads the Brisbane jockeys’ premiership with 73.5 wins, seven wins clear of nearest rival Jim Byrne, while Fradd has ridden 20 winners this season, which finishes at the end of the month.

Kendrick will make a late call whether Avolonte starts as the filly is also nominated for the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.

“I won’t make a call until I discuss it with her owners but rain is forecast for later in the week and she likes the wet,” Kendrick said.

“It’s 50-50 whether she’ll start and if she does start at Ipswich, they’re too hard to split.”

Avolonte was chasing a hat-trick of wins last start but produced a disappointing effort, beating one home, when ninth to the Tony Gollan-trained Tilianam at Eagle Farm on June 25.

The daughter of Star Turn has shown great promise throughout her career with four wins and five placings from 14 starts.

“Avolonte gets in better at the weights than Maximum Output,” Kendrick said.

“She went to Eagle Farm last start and was caught wide off an awkward gate and she may be better off at Doomben.”

Maximum Output has a similar record with four wins and eight placings from 15 starts and is coming off a last start eighth to the Paul Jenkins-trained Renouf on a heavy track at the Sunshine Coast on July 2.

It was Maximum Output’s fifth start this campaign, which has yielded two wins and as many placings.

“Maximum Output is not very big but he’s a tough little horse,” Kendrick said.

“He was trapped off the track last run but it was a very good run.

“He just peaked on his run towards the finish and he would have finished a lot closer if he had drawn better.”

Kendrick also saddles up Honestyandloyalty in the QTIS Maiden Plate over 1700 metres.

“He’s an improving type and he ran a good race when second on the synthetic track at the Sunny Coast last start,” he said.