Kendrick's wave of success set to continue

By Glenn Davis

Former Victorian Scantoon is yet to win for the Stuart Kendrick stable but the Sunshine Coast trainer won’t be surprised if the seven-year-old breaks through at Doomben on Wednesday.

Scantoon – a James Orman mount – steps out for only the third time for Kendrick in the Class 5 Handicap over 1640 metres.

The son of Written Tycoon was a cheap buy at an online auction for Wessels Thoroughbreds who have been long time clients of Kendrick.

Scantoon started his career with Grahame Begg in Victoria where he won four times in 20 starts before being moved on to Sydney trainer John Thompson.

However, Scantoon lasted only one start under Thomson’s care when he tailed off last in a field of eight in a 1550 metre Benchmark race at Canterbury in September last year.

After being sold, Scantoon stepped out for the first time in two barrier trials for Kendrick at the Sunshine Coast in December and January.

He then made his stable debut finishing a close fourth to the Toby Edmonds-trained Corfe Castle in a 1400 metre Benchmark race before finishing last in a three horse race in a 1400 metre Class 4 Handicap on a heavy track at the Sunshine Coast on February 11.

“He was supposed to start at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday before they were called off so I threw in a late nomination for this race,” Kendrick said.

“His first run for me was very good when he ran fourth but he just wasn’t suited on the heavy track last time.

“I’d like to see him ridden from behind if possible as he’s led both times for me and in his track work he’s been strong to the line when allowed to settle.

“He’s got to improve on his last run but he’s a chance in this and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him run a big race.”

Meanwhile, Kendrick also is hopeful of a strong first-up showing from Rustic Boom in the Class 2 Plate over 1200 metres.

Rustic Boom has started eight times for a solitary maiden win on his home track and hasn’t started since finishing last in a field of 13 at the Sunshine Coast in the middle of October.

“He’s a nice horse and is only lightly raced because of his immaturity,” Kendrick said.

“He’s trialled well and won a jump out recently so hopefully he’ll be in the finish somewhere.”

Kendrick has been in good form of late since claiming the Magic Millions Country Cup with Zoumeteor in January.

Since the start of February, Kendrick has been in the winner’s stall eight times, with one of the latest being Defiant Spirit who was successful against his own age at Doomben last Saturday.