Kendrick plays waiting game with weather

By Glenn Davis

Sunshine Coast trainer Stuart Kendrick is keeping a watch on the weather before deciding if Menazzi will take his place in the Class 4 Handicap at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

Kendrick was originally disappointed when Menazzi drew an awkward barrier but with rain predicted a decision on starting will be delayed until as late as possible.

“He’s entered for a Class 6 Plate at Doomben on Saturday and he’s probably looking for 1400 metres,” Kendrick said.

“But, he likes wet tracks so he could start on Wednesday if the rain comes.”

Menazzi - an $85,000 buy at the Magic Millions sales - hasn’t won for almost 16 months since he was successful in a Class 3 event at Eagle Farm in March last year.

“He’s always had a lot of ability but it’s unfortunate he’s had a lot of injuries in his career,” Kendrick said.

“Hopefully, we’ve got him right again.”

Menazzi suffered his first serious injury during last year’s Queensland winter carnival.

“He was placed in the Listed Daybreak Lover and then ran in the Queensland Guineas,” Kendrick said.

“We set him for the Queensland Derby and he ran third in the Rough Habit Plate.

“But, he then ended up with a tear in his chest and it was quite nasty and he needed a long time off.”

Kendrick said the injury was similar to a peck muscle tear in footballers who in some cases are ruled out for the season.

Menazzi came back for a summer campaign but was injured again on Melbourne Cup day at Eagle Farm.

“He was injured on Melbourne Cup day last year and we just thought it was a cut and would heal,” Kendrick said.

“But, it turned out to be a whack on the leg and he had to have part of his splint bone removed.

“He had two more runs after the injury before we found out the full extent of the problem.”

Menazzi has started only once this campaign finishing fifth in a 1200 metre Class 3 race at the Sunshine Coast on May 28.

He has always had a good opinion of the rising five-year-old despite winning only three times in 16 starts.

Kendrick has an unassailable lead for his 10th straight Sunshine Coast trainer’s premiership and is set to finish second in the state’s provincial title.