The decision to bypass the Magic Millions carnival with Doubtfilly wasn’t an easy one for trainer Stuart Kendrick.
But the physical development the daughter of Not A Single Doubt has made since her last campaign has convinced him it was the right one.
“Between her autumn and spring campaigns last year she didn’t grow much at all and she really needed some time off after she ran in the Golden Rose,” Kendrick said.
“After she came back from Sydney I gave her eight to 10 weeks off and you can really notice how well she looks and that’s she’s strengthened up.”
Doubtfilly makes her comeback to racing in Saturday’s Tate Mason Handicap (1110m) at Doomben carrying topweight of 58kg after apprentice Mitchell Wood’s claim.
“There looks to be a fair bit of speed in the race which might give us the chance to ride her just off the speed,” Kendrick said.
“She led a couple of times last campaign but that really isn’t ideal for her.
“I’d much prefer to see her take a sit because we know she can finish off pretty strongly in her races if she’s ridden that way.”
Goals for Doubtfilly this campaign aren’t set in stone although Kendrick hsa nominated the Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) on May 4 as an option.
“I don’t think we’ll be stretching her out to a mile but races up to 1400 metres should be within her scope. We’ll assess her after each run and see where he head with her this prep,” he said.
Kendrick recently relocated to the Sunshine Coast where he has 30 horses in work after a successful stint in Mackay where he won the trainers’ premiership for the past five seasons.
He also has a high opinion of two-year-old Iron Jacket who resumes in the Mark Timms Handicap (1110m).
“He won his first start at Rocky in really good style and he’s done well since he won a trial on the Cushion track a bit over a week ago,” he said.
