Bayley Kendrick steps up with Dad

By Jordan Gerrans

Bayley Kendrick has watched his father Stuart closely since his high school days and hopes to bring some of his best traits into their new training partnership.

The father-and-son training team was officially approved earlier this week and the Kendricks had their first runners together in town on Wednesday.

The new move had been in the works over the last few months.

There is every chance they will nab their maiden triumph as a partnership at the provincial meeting at Rockhampton on Friday and on their home deck at Caloundra on Friday night.

They will go in search of their first victory together at city level on Saturday when they take four runners to Eagle Farm.

The 25-year-old Bayley is thrilled to be elevated to training partner status after working for his father’s stable for many years, including serving as a foreman in recent times, while also travelling horses to their assignments.

“It's definitely been a goal for a long time pretty much since I started working for him,” Bayley said.

“It was always kind of a part of the goal to build up the knowledge and learn a lot from him to eventually go into partnership.

“Hopefully I can take over when he eventually steps away from it, but now it's very exciting.

“Dad isn’t looking to finish up anytime soon, but with me being in partnership now, he can have some time away and take it a little easier.”

Kendrick Racing announced the new partnership in a statement earlier this week.

“Bayley has been an integral part of the stable for the past eight years, working directly in the stables and consistently contributing to the day-to-day success of the operation,” the statement said.

“Over the last three years, Bayley has also served as foreman, playing an important role in coordinating stable operations and helping maintain the high standards that Kendrick Racing is known for.

“Through these years of hands-on experience, Bayley has developed a deep understanding of training preparation, stable management and the disciplined work ethic required to succeed in racing.

“His professionalism and commitment to the team are well known and we’re excited to continue building the strength of our stable with him in this expanded role.

“We believe this is an exciting time for the stable. We’re proud of what we’ve built and we’re looking forward to what lies ahead together.”

After originally training in Central Queensland, Stuart Kendrick has made the trainer’s premiership at Caloundra his own in recent times, while also being regularly competitive in the city.

Bayley has watched his father closely over the years and is eager to put what he has learned into practice in the stable.

“He has taught me a lot of patience about horses and people at the same time,” Bayley said.

“Patience is one of his big ones and trusting his gut. He has always been a trainer who has looked at his horse and gone with his instinct.

“That has worked out for him. It would be good to get that trait from him.”

Of the stable’s four runners at Eagle Farm on Saturday, Bayley believes Just Precious in the lucky last provides him with his best chance yet to nab a breakthrough metro winner.

Just Precious heads to the Benchmark 85 Handicap over 1200 metres and will be ridden by apprentice hoop Ryan Houston from the inside alley.

Stablemate Master Showman will also contest the sprint event with fellow apprentice Anna Roper set to take the mount.

Just Precious was a smart first-up winner at Doomben early last month in similar grade.

“I really like Just Precious,” Bayley said.

“She’s been going very well this preparation. She won a couple of weeks ago in town first-up. 

"She had a fair few issues with her feet last prep. 

"We spent a lot of time on it and the farrier has done a very good job to get her right. She's absolutely flying at the moment.

“So, it's a tough race, but she's got the right barrier and she will give it a good shake.”

Bayley’s partner Kayla Johnston is an apprentice jockey based at Caloundra.

Family training partnerships are becoming fairly commonplace in the Sunshine State these days. 

The Kendrick clan's new team follows the likes of Chris and Corey Munce, Adam and Dallas Simpson, Tony and Maddysen Sears, Corey and Kylie Geran as well as Trevor and Peter Rowe, among others.