The Stifmeister over the odds in Dalrello

By Glenn Davis

Betting markets suggest well named youngster The Stifmeister faces an uphill battle to win the Listed Dalrello Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

However, trainer Stuart Kendrick is ignoring the early money trail and believes The Stifmeister is over the odds and will be up to his neck in the finish at the end of the 1000m dash.

In latest TAB markets, The Stifmeister is a $18 chance behind the $3.90 favourite Ashema, who is trained by Warwick Farm’s Annabel Neasham.

The Stifmeister will race in blinkers for the first time after getting back in his second run before powering home to beat the Michael Nolan-trained Hinged over 1300m at Eagle Farm on March 6.

Kendrick is hoping a strong performance from The Stifmeister will earn him a shot at the Group 2 Sires Produce Stakes over 1400m at Eagle Farm on May 29.

“I think he’s definitely over the odds but the 1000m does look a bit short for him,” Kendrick said.

“I’m putting blinkers on him to sharpen him up as he had a let-up after his last run.

“This race is an opportunity for him to aim for something better and if he steps up then he’ll go for the Sires Produce.”

The Stifmeister was bought at the Magic Millions Ready-To-Run sale for $47,500 and was syndicated by Kendrick’s son, Nathan.

“Nathan has a small syndication company called Krew Racing and has put together a few partnerships,” Kendrick said.

“One of his better horses is I’ve Bean There who ran fourth in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes at Randwick."

The Stifmeister takes his name from Steve Stifler in the iconic movie, American Pie.

“He is out of a handy mare called Hot Mama and Stifler’s mother in the movie was a famous character," he explained. 

Apart from Ashema, the Tony Gollan-trained Refero is another strong local hope at $8.50. 

Experienced Jockey Jim Byrne expects another strong performance from Refero following his impressive debut win over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on April 11.

The I Am Invincible colt led all the way to beat the Tony Gollan-trained Tiger Heart, who franked the form by winning over 1200m at Doomben last Saturday.

“I was going to take a sit on him but he was very quick out of the gates,” Byrne said.

“It was a very good run and the form line stacks up as Tony Gollan’s horse came out and won his next start.”