Rancho likely to start at Sunshine Coast

Trainer Stuart Kendrick is likely to start Rancho Montoya at the Sunshine Coast rather than Doomben.

Trainer Stuart Kendrick is likely to stick with a successful formula and start Rancho Montoya at the Sunshine Coast rather than Doomben.

Kendrick has accepted with Rancho Montoya at both centres in Plate races over 1400m and 1600m on Friday and Saturday respectively.

Rancho Montoya was a shock failure at his first run back from a spell in a Three-Year-Old Handicap at Doomben two weeks ago on a heavy track.

He was beaten a long way from the finish and ended up last, 18 lengths from the winner Sussuri.

Kendrick has decided to press on with a possible trip to Sydney for Group class staying races in the autumn.

Kendrick said he had been stunned by Rancho Montoya’s first-up failure.

“He didn’t go one centimetre in the going. If I had known it was going to be so heavy I would have scratched him,” Kendrick said.

“At least we now know he can’t handle a really heavy track.”

Kendrick said Rancho Montoya was too good a horse at his best to immediately abandon southern plans.

“He has trialled well and has continued to work strongly,” Kendrick said.

“I want to see him back on top of the ground. Maybe the best guide would be on the bigger Sunshine Coast track.

“I just want to have a good look at both fields and the barriers before finally deciding.”

Kendrick is a big fan of the spacious Sunshine Coast track where he is the leading trainer.