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Stuart Kendrick is using this year’s Golden Slipper success as a blueprint to deliver what he hopes is Doubtfilly’s maiden Group 1 triumph.
The plan is simple – run in the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday and if she impresses enough, back her up in the $1m Golden Rose a week later.
Five months ago Kendrick employed a similar strategy to great effect with his petite daughter of Not A Single Doubt, ultimately yielding a gutsy fourth placing in the Golden Slipper.
He took on the fillies in late March in the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes where she was beaten less than a length in fourth, then Doubtfilly went straight into the Slipper seven days later. The prizemoney easily recouped connections’ late entry fee.
On Saturday she’s up against the fillies again. If she runs as expected, Kendrick won’t hesitate in unleashing her on the Group 1 Golden Rose.
“We had the option whether to miss this race and go straight into the Golden Rose but she showed last time in she can back up really well,” Kendrick said.
“It’s a nice option here especially when the likes of Nechita have dropped off, it just made it a fairly even field.
“Obviously there are some nice fillies there like Flying Snitzel. Meidung was a huge run the other day, and Dear Demi.
“They’re all good fillies, but there’s no Nechita in there now so I think it gives us our opportunity.
“If she goes well enough she’ll be going into the Golden Rose.”
Just like last campaign, Doubtfilly has enjoyed a two-week break between her last start and this weekend.
She floated down to Rosehill last Tuesday, three days after a resuming second at Doomben where she carried a big weight and was forced to lead from the wide gate.
Last campaign she entered the Magic Night Stakes off a five-and-a-half length romp at the Gold Coast.
Kendrick had planned to resume in Sydney last month, but opted to stay in Queensland to dodge boom Anthony Cummings filly She’s A Fox.
The Cummings star has subsequently injured herself and is out for the spring, but another potential pin-up girl has since emerged – John Thompson filly Nechita who holds overwhelming favouritism in Golden Rose betting.
Punters have endorsed her ahead of fellow Patinack Farm runner All Too Hard, and Kendrick can’t help but do the same.
“It’s a little bit of a hard one lining them up - Nechita’s been very impressive, she did it quite effortlessly the other day,” Kendrick said.
“Looking at her she’s obviously the benchmark at the moment.
“All Too Hard, he’s run well but probably hasn’t come up to the expectations they thought. They’re two really good horses, one’s a colt and one’s a filly but the filly’s done everything right hasn’t she.”
