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Kendrick stable with big TAB Queensland Summer Racing Carnival plans

18 November 2021

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IMG-6768.jpgBy Jordan Gerrans

Just a short float ride from the Caloundra track itself is where Stuart Kendrick keeps his secret weapon when it comes to training winners.

The Sunshine Coast trainer won his home club premiership, and with it came the provincial crown from across the state last season, and he has high hopes for the upcoming TAB Queensland Summer Racing Carnival.

Based at Palmwoods, which is about a 15 minute drive from the Sunshine Coast Turf Club, is Kendrick’s farm, where he will often take his gallopers for what he described as a “micro spell”.

He believes the time away from the busy Corbould Park stables, even when it is for a day or two, has serious benefits for his gallopers, spending time on the walker, treadmill and in spacious freshening and spelling yards.

Kendrick has slowly built up the farm as his training career has progressed, starting out pretty basic, he says, and now he believes it has “come up terrific”.

The experienced horseman notes his horses, staff and even the trainer himself thrives following a bit of time at the stable’s farm.

“We have spent a lot of time and money building the farm out here and it has been a real asset for us,” Kendrick said.

“For example, we had two fillies trial on Tuesday at the Sunshine Coast and then they are out here the next day, it is a big help – as the horses have little micro spells, if you like.

“We have got the treadmill here and the nice trotting track we have just set up, with some great yards with lots of grass, they do really well when they come out here.

“It is important to have both, we have great facilities at the Sunshine Coast track itself and this added facility of my farm, it helps the older horses as well as the young ones - it is a great option for us.”

The former Mackay-based trainer has proved as consistent as they come, training between 76 and 89 winners each of the last six seasons.

As the TAB Queensland Summer Racing Carnival kicks off this Saturday on their home track, the Kendrick team present with nine chances across the program – including two hopefuls in the Mooloolaba Cup.

Kendrick is likely to start two chances in the $105,000 feature over 1600 metres - Fastnet Cyclone and Way Beyond.

Race-5-Fastnet-Cylone-DSC-0941-jpg.JPGTammy Cameron, a long-time Kendrick racing staff member, says that both are stable favourites around Caloundra.

“Way Beyond is really nice to deal with, no one has a problem with him and he just goes about his job quietly,” Cameron said.

“He does not really have any quirks; he is just nice to do everything with.

“Fastnet Cyclone is so quiet; he is like a stable pony – everyone loves him.

“He has been that way since we had him.”

Cameron is one of Kendrick’s longest serving members of his stable, previously working for the leading horseman when he was based in Mackay.

Way Beyond – to be ridden by apprentice Leah Kilner on Saturday – has a sparkling record on his home track with Cameron thinking he loves the big track at Caloundra, being able to get out and get home fast.

The Spill The Beans gelding has run in the top two in six of his seven races at his home track – which has yielded four victories.

Stable mate Fastnet Cyclone may not make it to the races on Saturday as the veteran stayer is battling a sore foot and might be scratched.

A favourite of his staff and connections, Kendrick says Fastnet Cyclone will look towards a 2200-metre event in the coming weeks regardless of if he lines up in the Mooloolaba Cup.

Bay gelding Way Beyond won at Benchmark 70 level two starts back over a mile and steps up to Quality company on Saturday, with his trainer hopeful he can measure up against a strong field of middle-distance runners.

“He has obviously got to step up to the big boys now,” Kendrick said.

“He has been a really nice horse for us and the stable since he was a two-year-old.

20211117-kedrick-photo-edit-1.JPG“He just loves the Sunshine Coast – having won three there this time in – he has to step up into better grade and with the light weight and the field being strong without having any superstars in it, hopefully he can measure up for us.

“He gets back, likes to find his feet and balance up then hit the line well, which you are able to at the Sunshine Coast.

“Being the big, long straight, he was able to hit the line well recently.

“Hopefully on Saturday he will be not too far off them and be a good chance for us.”

Kendrick is optimistic about getting Way Beyond into a staying race on Magic Millions day on the Gold Coast early next year.

From a wide gate on Saturday, Kendrick is keen to see Way Beyond sit midfield in transit and be able to wind up in the home straight and have a clear shot at them.

Looking ahead through the TAB Queensland Summer Racing Carnival, the stable boast a number of new juveniles that they are hopeful can make their impact closer to Magic Millions day, including Isshegrey and Gerrymander, among others.

“We have been fairly active the last few years at the sales and we have a few nice two-year-olds coming through that trialled this week,” Kendrick said.

“Hopefully we can sneak a few of those into the Magic Millions two-year-old race early next year.”

 

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