Double chance for Menazzi

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Stu Kendrick is giving progressive three-year-old Menazzi the first of two opportunities to prove he’s worthy of heading towards the TAB Queensland Racing Carnival at Doomben on Saturday.

Menazzi and stablemate Mister Larrabee will lock horns against the Rob Heathcote-trained favourite Sweet Margot May in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1350 metres.

Kendrick is reluctant to split his pair but has a slight leaning to Menazzi upsetting the $3.40 pre-post favourite Sweet Margot May.

Menazzi is attempting to complete a hat-trick of wins after notching up victories in a Class 2 on his home track at the Sunshine Coast last month before a narrow Class 3 win at Eagle Farm on March 12.

Mister Larrabee has had two runs back from a spell and was beaten less than two lengths when fourth to Sweet Margot May in three-year-old grade at Eagle Farm two weeks ago.

“There’s not a lot between my two on the track and both have a lot of ability,” Kendrick said.

“Mr Larrabee has always shown ability but has been a slow learner.

“But once he puts it together, he should go on whether it’s this preparation or next."

Kendrick paid $85,000 for Menazzi as a yearling primarily on looks.

“I bought Menazzi for $85,000 as he was such an athletic type," Kendrick said.

“Depending on how he goes tomorrow, he will run in the Daybreak Lover in three weeks and that will decide if we push on to the Queensland Guineas.

“If neither of them wins, I’ll sit back and re-assess things with them.

“Menazzi has got the ability and hopefully can make the next step to the winter.”

Kendrick paid $80,000 for Mister Larrabee at the Sydney Easter sales two years ago and was busy buying five more yearlings at the recent QTIS March sales at the Gold Coast.

Kendrick, who has more than 60 horses in work at Caloundra, has named Sweet Margot May as the biggest threat to his pair.

“Menazzi has a got a good gate in barrier two which is important around Doomben and Miss Margot May has the one barrier,” Kendrick said.

“Miss Margot May was originally trained by Nat McCall at Caloundra and looks the one to beat.”

Kendrick also will be interested in the performance of Roadtrip and Gerrymander in the QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap over 1050 metres.

Roadtrip is making his debut after trialling  well when second at the Sunshine Coast on March 8 while Gerrymander is resuming after finishing seventh in her debut in November last year.

“Roadtrip has always shown a lot of ability and should acquit himself well,” Kendrick said.