Sunshine Coast trainer Stuart Kendrick picks out his top chances for Friday’s meeting

Leading trainer Stuart Kendrick is hoping to pull further away in the Sunshine Coast trainers rankings as he highlights his best chances for Friday’s Ladies Oaks Day.

Sunshine Coast racing trainer Stuart Kendrick.

Champion Sunshine Coast trainer Stuart Kendrick is hoping to continue his good home track performances on June 2 with eight nominated runners.

Kendrick sits at the top of the Sunshine Coast trainers rankings this season with 42 wins and 71 placings from 263 starts.

Friday’s Ladies Oaks Day at Caloundra will feature an eight-race card and Kendrick said he’s excited to see what his two-year-old, unraced gelding, Defiant Spirit cam do.

“He’s a nice horse, he’s trialled and jumped out well and I think he’ll run really well,” he said.

“He’s obviously got to take on horses with race experience but he’s a promising horse, he’s done everything right so far so we’ll get a good guide on where he’s at on Friday.”

Sunshine Coast racing trainer Stuart Kendrick. Picture: Patrick Woods

That same QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap over 1000m will also feature Kendrick’s Torque I Tee who is coming off a win at home on May 21.

“He had some really good form last time in, he trialled terrific with the blinkers on and we left them on for his first few runs back but he just totally over-raced and didn’t finish off,” he said.

“We made some gear changes last start and dropped him back in trip and he won really well so I think again he’s got a bit of class about him and his form early on was really good behind a Magic Millions winner Skirt the Law.

“It makes things interesting but if he can run up to his last run he’ll be right there as well.”

Favourite Hillcrest Avenue kicks off proceedings and breaks his maiden nicely!@JimmyOrman with a patient ride for @kendrickracing1. pic.twitter.com/flQvXWk03C

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 11, 2022

Kendrick, who has taken out the Sunshine Coast trainer’s premiership for nine years straight, said Hillcrest Avenue and maiden runner Caldante could also perform well.

“He’s a promising stayer Hillcrest Avenue and ran a good second in town last start,” he said.

“I think he’ll improve the further he goes so he’s up to the 2200m on Friday, in a good race but he’ll be hard to beat.

“Another would be Caldante, he’s nominated for Brisbane on Wednesday but we’ll probably wait until Friday.

“He’s been knocking on the door and has a good chance in that 1400m maiden race.”

Kendrick has a further four runners nominated for Saturday’s Eagle Farm meeting where he said Pocket Full and Lost In Transit were his better hopes.

He said he currently didn’t have any major plans for the Queensland Winter Carnival but was expecting to have a few lightly raced chances on Caloundra Cup Day.