The Stuart Kendrick trained gelding, Menazzi, will face his toughest test yet when he tackles the Group 2 Queensland Guineas over 1600m at Eagle Farm on Saturday … and not just because he is facing some very tough opposition.
“I would have loved to have drawn a bit of a better gate with him,” said Kendrick, referring to the ugly wide barrier draw number next to Menazzi’s name. “He is going to need a little bit of luck from there … but he is a really consistent horse.
The other test regards the race distance. The Guineas will be the first time Menazzi steps up to 1600m.
“The other day (in the Listed Daybreak Lover) I thought he ended up in the wrong spot,” continued Kendrick. “We didn’t want to lead but, due to circumstances, he ended up being taken to the front … and then he got taken on the whole way.
“He still gave a good kick at the top of the straight and he beat all but two home, so I thought his run was excellent.
“As I say, I would like to have drawn a soft gate in the Guineas … ust be able to sit in fourth or fifth, because he has got a really good turn of foot which we haven’t been able to see on wet tracks.
“We always had the Queensland Guineas in mind, but he had to perform well in the Daybreak Lover first and, with all of those things that went against him there, I think he performed very well.
“If we can just get a bit of luck and be sitting just off the speed … that’s where I would like him to be in the running.
“He’s in good form. He is well and he is tough and being tough is a big thing in races like this.”
Menazzi will go into the race as a three-time winner (with four minor placing) from nine career starts.
