It’s a familiar tale. A two-year-old talent who failed to cut it as a spring three-year-old.
Doubtfilly returns at Doomben on Saturday. Photo by: Daniel Costello.
Golden Slipper fourth placegetter Doubtfilly struggled physically in her first campaign as a three-year-old but trainer Stuart Kendrick remains hopeful she can be more than just a juvenile success story.
“Things didn’t really work out obviously, she probably didn’t really make the transition physically from a two-year-old to a spring three-year-old,” Kendrick told horseracing.com.au.
“She’s had a good spell now.”
The Queensland filly returns at Doomben this Saturday where she will be having her first start since finishing 13 1/2 lengths last in the Golden Rose in September.
As a two-year-old, the small daughter of Not A Single Doubt shocked plenty when flying home at $91 to take the Slipper fourth position behind big names Pierro, Snitzerland and Samaready.
Kendrick, who has recently relocated from Mackay to the Sunshine Coast, said the winner of four of 11 starts is still small in stature but has strengthened considerably and is a more mature horse.
“She’s never been a big filly and she hasn’t grown a lot but after the spell she has really strengthened up,” Kendrick said.
Doubtfilly was an impressive trial performer at the Sunshine Coast last week, leaving Kendrick confident about her chances in the QTIS 3YO Handicap (1110m) on Saturday.
“She trialled really well and she’s taken improvement out of that. We’re certainly very optimistic,” he said.
While her spring mission may have crashed and burned, Kendrick has not given up hope that Doubtfilly can again make an impact on the southern stage.
“We’re hopeful she can get back to that level [as a three-year-old],” Kendrick said.
“We’ll see how she goes this weekend in Brisbane but there’s a few options if she goes well.”
After winning multiple Mackay training premierships, Kendrick packed up his stable and moved to the Sunshine Coast earlier this year with the goal of providing more opportunities for a growing group of owners.
“It’s taken a bit to settle in but it’s going well. We’ve got some nice yearlings and two-year-olds,” Kendrick said.
“The move was all about giving the best opportunities for the owners.
“We’ve probably got the best batch of young horses in the stable we’ve had and that combined with a reduction of QTIS money up north and also a reduction of meetings in Mackay, it was a logical option.”
