Sunshine Coast trainer Stuart Kendrick is not ruling out an unlikely home town victory with outsider Kobi Creek in Saturday’s Listed $150,000 Queensland Cup (3200m).

Richard Of Yorke, above, is the favourite for the Queensland Cup at the Sunshine Coast. Photo by Steve Hart.

Richard Of Yorke, above, is the favourite for the Queensland Cup at the Sunshine Coast. Photo by Steve Hart.

Kobi Creek would have to lift his game on recent form if he is to be a force in the two mile contest on his home track but Kendrick pointed out that one of the six year old’s better performances was two years ago when third behind Index Linked and Escado in the Listed $175,000 Caloundra Cup (2400m).

“The first two in that race were Index Linked and Escado who are both well above average stayers,” Kendrick told AAP.

“I know that was a while ago but Kobi Creek is a tough old bloke. He is fit and down in the weights and will run the 3200 metres right out.”

“Over the years the Queensland Cup has been won by roughies with light weights. But whether Kobi Creek is up to some of the southern horses is the question.”

Kobi Creek will be lining up for the fourth time for the Kendrick stable after previously being prepared by Beaudesert trainer Mark Palmer and Matthew Dunn at Murwillumbah.

“Obviously it is good to win any stakes race but you get a special thrill in front of your home town crowd,” Kendrick said.

“Kobi Creek’s owners rang me a couple of months ago and asked if I would take him on with a Queensland Cup start in mind. I was happy to and now it has been transferred to Caloundra.”

Kobi Creek is the winner of four races from forty-two starts but it has been a long time in between drinks and the gelding hasn’t visited the winner’s stall since Palmer saddled him up in a Class 5 Handicap over 1800m at the Gold Coast in November, 2015.

Leading apprentice Tiffani Brooker takes over from Michael Hellyer who was aboard Kobi Creek last start when fifth in an 1800m BenchMark 70 Handicap at the Gold Coast on July 5.

Betting for the Queensland Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au has Kobi Creek as one of the outsiders of the field at $67 while the Chris Waller trained Richard Of Yorke heads the market order at $3.90.

The Brian Smith trained My Diamantine is next in the betting at $4.20 just ahead of the favourite’s stablemate Soviet Courage at $5.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.