Conditions good for Winter Passage

Winter Passage can set herself up for stake races if she runs well in the Cooney at Ipswich.

A strong recent trial and a good barrier give filly Winter Passage a chance to shed her title as one of Queensland’s unluckiest horse.

Winter Passage resumes in a strong T L Cooney Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1100m at Ipswich on Saturday.

The Cooney is regarded as the best three-year-old race at Ipswich and has again attracted a top field.

Trainer Stuart Kendrick feels it is an ideal way to start the filly’s campaign despite the depth of the race.

Winter Passage’s record tells the story of her career with her statistics standing at 14 starts for three wins and 10 minor placings.

In many of those placings Winter Passage featured in the stewards reports and had excuses for not winning.

However, Kendrick is not looking back but rather to the future with the filly.

“She trialled well behind a stakes winner in Monsieur Gustave at Caloundra. She has barrier two and the minimum weight. We can’t ask for much more,” he said.

Kendrick is hoping Winter Passage can add value to her worth as a broodmare with some city wins.

Winter Passage is by leading sire I Am Invincible and cost $100,000 as a yearling at the Inglis Sales.

“She has black-type all the way through her pedigree. She has been placed in some good races and we obviously would like her to earn some black-type of her own,” Kendrick said.

“There are still a couple of races towards the end of the carnival to suit her.”