By Glenn Davis
Stu Kendrick hopes to get a better guide whether Jagged Edge is a genuine Group 1 contender this winter when the unbeaten youngster tackles the Group 2 Champagne Classic at Doomben on Saturday.
Jagged Edge emerged as a winter carnival hope with his last start win over Sydney visitor Deep Sea in the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm last month.
It maintained his unbeaten record after the Better Than Ready gelding won on debut at his home track at the Sunshine Coast in mid-April.
Kendrick is yet to train a Group 1 winner and hopes the 1200-metre feature will give him some guide whether Jagged Edge is capable of extending in distance for the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 J J Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
“He’s won two from two and his work has been very good,” Kendrick said.
“He’s drawn a good gate which is a virtue at the 1200 metre start at Doomben.
“He’s got to show he can step up in class and it’s not an easy race but a few of the chances have drawn wide.
“Hopefully, he’ll get a good run from barrier two and he’ll box seat.”
Kendrick plans to push on to the Sires’ Produce Stakes on May 25 with Jagged Edge if he performs well.
“If he wins or runs a good race and hits the line well, he’ll go on to the Sires’ Produce and that race will decide if he runs in the J J Atkins,” he said.
“If he doesn’t show he’s ready to run further than he’ll spell and come back and chase QTIS prizemoney next campaign.”
Jagged Edge’s hopes have been boosted by jockey Jim Orman gaining the mount.
Orman rode Jagged Edge in both his wins but had a prior booking for the Kelly Schweida-trained The Odyssey who has been declared a non-runner by his trainer after drawing the outside gate.
Jagged Edge was a $46,000 Inglis Classic purchase in Sydney and became the third stakes-winner for Lyndhurst Stud's exciting young sire Better Than Ready when he claimed the Dalrello Stakes.
Racing Queensland webnews May 9