Promising Mackay filly Doubtfilly could ensure a return to Brisbane for the winter carnival if successful again at Doomben on Saturday.
Trainer Stu Kendrick has pencilled in the Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June for the daughter of Not A Single Doubt but she’ll need to win the Skyracing.TV Handicap (1110m).
Kendrick, who trained at Eagle Farm for 10 years before relocating to Mackay in 2004, admits to having some reservations with Doubtfilly on a wet track.
“On breeding she should handle it as her grand dam was by Woodman but it’s one of those unknowns until you try them but hopefully she’ll handle it,” Kendrick said.
Kendrick left Doubtfilly in Brisbane following her impressive victory over 1000 metres at Eagle Farm on June 21.
“I thought it would be too much to travel her back in the hot conditions we were having at the time,” he said.
“I left her in Brisbane and she’s done well but she’ll definitely go for a spell after this race.
“She should take a lot of benefit from her previous win as I couldn’t work her as hard as I wanted in the wet before the race.”
Although Kendrick wants to return for the winter with Doubtfilly he will be guided by what she does.
“I want to get a good guide from her in this race before I decide,” he said.
“If she wins well and is strong at the finish, the Sires would prove a nice race for her in the winter.
“Playtime comes from up our way and he came down last winter after running second in the big QTIS Plate at Mackay and ran second in the Sires’ and third in the TJ Smith.”
Kendrick is likely to set Doubtfilly for the QTIS Plate at Mackay Playtime ran in last year if he decides against a winter campaign.
Doubtfilly has been ridden in three of her four starts by central Queensland jockey Adrian Coome who will miss the ride after returning a positive test to an appetite suppressant in Rockhampton in January.
Coome, who is due to front a stewards’ inquiry shortly, has been replaced by Jim Byrne.
Despite his success with Doubtfilly, Kendrick has no plans to return permanently in Brisbane.
“I’m entrenched in Mackay and we’re getting a new $7 million StrathAyr track soon,” he said.
“It’s going to make a lot of difference when it’s completed.
“Last year we had a lot of trouble with the weather and lost a few meetings but it won’t happen again once the new track is up and running.”