Kendrick hopeful of a Magic Millions wildcard

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Stu Kendrick had a quiet New Year’s Eve but is hoping to pop the champagne corks if Star Of Michelin can cause an upset win in the Magic Millions Shoot Out at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Star Of Michelin's price has been slashed from $25 to $13 in TAB fixed betting to topple $2.70 favourite Ballistic Boy and co. in the Magic Millions Shoot Out over 2206 metres.

The race has attracted a star-studded lineup with eight interstate making up the 14-horse field.

Star Of Michelin - a son of Jet Spur - is coming off a last start second to the Rob Heathcote-trained Warp Speed when stepping up in distance to 2150 metres for the first time this campaign in a Benchmark race at Eagle Farm on December 16.

When the market went up on Wedneday, Kendrick asw surprised at Star Of Michelin’s long odds.

“I can’t believe his price as he drops six kilograms to the minimum and he loves Eagle Farm,” Kendrick said.

“I thought his last run was really good as he had plenty of weight and it was his first run over the trip.

“He had to go a little earlier than I wanted and was left a sitting duck.”

Star Of Michelin was bred by the late Ross Cutts, best known as the owner-breeder of former Group 1 winner and champion sire Show A Heart, but never went through the Magic Millions sales.

However, the four-year-old can gain a wildcard entry into the $1 million Magic Millions Subzero over 2400 metres at the Gold Coast in two weeks if successful in the Shoot Out.

Star Of Michelin has a 50% winning strike rate at Eagle Farm with four wins from eight starts and Kendrick is confident of a strong showing.

Kendrick rates fellow Queenslander Ballistic Boy as the main danger.

Ballistic Boy has graduated through the ranks after a strong three-year-old year last season which included a win in the Group 3 Grand Prix (2200m) at Eagle Farm in June.

The son of Smart Missile is in career best form and is finally living up to his potential after winning the Mooloolaba Cup over 1600 metres at the Sunshine Coast in November before a heart stopping win in the Doomben Miler over 1640 metres on December 11.