Sunshine Coast trainer Stuart Kendrick is happy to forget Doubtfilly’s 15th-place finish in the Tatt’s Tiara and is expecting the three-year-old to bounce back in the Listed Ascot Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Doubtfilly is one of the favourites for the Ascot Handicap. Photo by: Daniel Costello.

Kendrick said “nothing went right” for the daughter of Not A Single Doubt in the Group 1 feature and is hopeful a favourable barrier two draw and drop in class can see her claim her first stakes win this weekend.

Despite finishing fourth in the prestigious Golden Slipper last year, the small sprinter has been unable to break through in nine starts at stakes level.

She wasn’t far away last month when third in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic and Kendrick believes a repeat of that performance should be good enough to account for her rivals this weekend.

“Her run in the Gai Waterhouse was terrific and she’ll be hard to beat if she reproduces that run,” Kendrick told Racing Queensland.

“The sting will still be out of the track which suits her and she’s got Damian Browne on her this time.

“I was a bit disappointed she didn’t finish off the [Tatt’s Tiara] race a bit better but she’s got a good barrier this time and this is a massive drop in class on Saturday.”

In an open betting race, the small but speedy filly is rated an equal $5.50 favourite with Kelso Wood-trained gelding Benny’s Buttons.

In the day’s other feature – the Listed Queensland Cup (3200m) – Peter Moody-trained stayer Ibicenco is a $2.40 favourite.

A Group 1 runner-up in Germany, the five-year-old showed his staying ability in the spring when winning the Listed Sandown Cup.