The stars have aligned for Rare Occurrence to write another chapter in her trainer Stuart Kendrick’s story of turning cheap buys into stakes class horses.
Rare Occurrence has drawn barrier one for the Listed Ubet Fillies and Mares Classic (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday and Kendrick couldn’t be happier.
“We have had a run of bad luck with barriers for our horses of late so I suppose it was our turn for some luck,” Kendrick said.
He bought Rare Occurrence $25,000 and syndicated her with his long time owner Neil Douglas.
Rare Occurrence owes the syndicate nothing having already returned $223,000 prize money and been stakes placed in the Daybreak Lover Stakes in the winter.
But Kendrick would love to win a black-type race with her to add value to her for future duties as a broodmare.
“I don’t think I have had a tougher mare and she often runs into trouble. But we seem to have all the rights things for us on Saturday,” Kendrick said.
“She loves Doomben where has won four times, the track will be soft and she has a top jockey in Damian Browne from barrier one.”
“Damian was going to ride Nancy for the Snowdens but they didn’t accept so even that has fallen into place. We won’t have many excuses if beaten on Saturday.”
Rare Occurence has run at the past two Magic Millions carnivals finishing unplaced in the 2YO Classic and the 3YO Guineas.
“She didn’t have much luck either time but I suppose that is the case in a lot of big fields in big races,” Kendrick said.
“I will give her a chance again at the Millions in the Fillies and Mares race and hopefully it will be third time lucky.”‘
Kendrick has a great record in getting cheap buys and turning them into top line money makers.
His most famous is Doubtfilly, who ran fourth in a Golden Slipper, as she cost $17,500 before winning $700,000 in prize money and going for $300,000 as a broodmare.
But there have been many others including Avaladyluck who cost only $2500 but won $300,000 prize money and then made $150,000 as a broodmare.
Massuri cost $5500 and earned more than $200,000 while black-type winner Divine Centuri brought $330,000 as a broodmare.
