THERE was some extra pressure on trainer Stuart Kendrick ahead of Disputed River’s first win for the stable at Eagle Farm.
The five-year-old tried horse purchase, which joined the stable last year, is owned by Kendrick’s wife Trudy and daughter Paige.
They were cheering when Disputed River ($4.80), ridden by Jake Bayliss, held on in a tight go in the Benchmark 65 (1850m) on Wednesday, February 7.
He’d shown he was close to a breakthrough when second last start at the Sunshine Coast, up in trip to 1800 metres, and cemented that form with the city midweek breakthrough.
“He’s another digital online purchase,” Kendrick said.
“He’s a well-bred import that we purchased online and then gave a bit of time to mature,” he said.
“He has now furnished into a nice stayer and hopefully can put a few together.
“He was well ridden by Jake and put his head down right on the line to get the win.
“We’ll look for a 2000-metre race for him now.”
No ‘dispute’ over galloper’s staying credentials
