Caloundra trainer Stuart Kendrick’s decision to miss the summer carnival with Star Of Michelin looks set to pay dividends in coming months.
Despite drawing an outside barrier, Star of Michelin is poised to resume in Saturday’s QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
Kendrick, who is having his best season to date, had been toying with the idea of setting Star Of Michelin for the summer three-year-old staying series.
Star Of Michelin won two of his first three starts in impressive fashion but when he was beaten at his fourth start Kendrick sent him for a spell.
“I wanted to give him time to mature into his body and he has pleased me since he came back into work,” Kendrick said.
“He has had a jump-out and then a solid 1200 metre trial so he is ready for 1400 metres first-up.
“The barrier is no help but statistics show they can win from wide at the Eagle Farm 1400.
“We will get a clearer idea of where we are going after Saturday but a race like the Queensland Guineas or something even a bit further could be on the agenda.”
Star Of Michelin’s return will have a sentimental overtone as he was bred by the late Ross Cutts who died in October.
Ross and his wife Judy Cutts won many races including the Stradbroke Handicap with Show A Heart.
Star Of Michelin is the fifth generation of horses raced by the Cutts family to become a city winner.
He is by Jet Spur out of the mare Conca Bella, who is by Show A Heart from Wabble, making her a sister to the Group One Oakleigh Plate winner Woorim who was also raced by the Cutts.
“There are Group winners all through Star of Michelin’s pedigree so hopefully he lives up to it,” Kendrick said.
