Stuart Kendrick is happy to challenge the odds with his $17,000 filly in the $3.5 million Golden Slipper.
As All Too Hard, the blue blood colt owned by mining magnate Nathan Tinkler emerged as outright favourite for the world’s richest two-year-old race, Kendrick and his partners spent more than eight times the purchase price of Doubtfilly to have her in Saturday’s field.
They have parted with $150,000 to make a late entry payment to secure their dream of having a Golden Slipper runner.
Considering bookmakers are offering $51 about her chances, Kendrick concedes the economics of his decision don’t make sense on the balance sheet.
“If a financial adviser was involved in something like this I’m sure it would be far from an ideal scenario,” Kendrick, who trains from Mackay in central Queensland, said.
“But it’s more of a heart thing than a head thing.
“When you buy horses in my price range there are no guarantees you are going to get one good enough again to ever get close to running in a Golden Slipper.”
Doubtfilly has already banked more than $340,000, making Monday’s decision a lot easier for connections.
“Admittedly it’s going to be a tough task but the big thing is she has done a great job already,” Kendrick said.
“She has given all us the opportunity to be in a race chasing two million dollars alongside people like Nathan Tinkler.
“We might never be in this position again.”
Damien Oliver, who rode Doubtfilly into fourth place in Saturday’s Magic Night Stakes, will keep the mount as he sets his sights on a second Golden Slipper win.
Doubtfilly’s inclusion leaves the John O’Shea-trained Shelford still among the borderline chances to make it into the race when final acceptances are called on Tuesday morning.
O’Shea already has Faustus and Askohan safely in the 16-horse field.
All Too Hard firmed into outright Golden Slipper favouritism at $2.80 on Monday in perhaps the clearest indication yet the unbeaten colt will back up after his impressive Rosehill win on Saturday.
“The fact that the John Hawkes-trained colt is not a confirmed starter for the race hasn’t deterred punters,” TAB Sportsbet’s Matthew Jenkins said.
“The Pago Pago Stakes winner has been all the rage today, with 55 per cent of all bets placed on him.”
As All Too Hard tightened, the Blue Diamond Stakes winner Samaready drifted to $3.40.
The two favourites dominate the market to such an extent that Pierro is the only other runner quoted under double figures at $9.
