KENDRICK Racing came within a whisker of saddling up six winners on the card at the Sunshine Coast.
The stable trained five winners before Change The Deel was beaten in a photo in the last on the Poly Track on Sunday (March 10).
“It was so close to what would have been a career best day at a race meeting for us,” trainer Stuart Kendrick said.
“It was an amazing day, with five winners, a third and a second,” he said.
“The results were extremely pleasing for our loyal owners and a testament to the hard work of our team.”
Michael Rodd rode three of the winners, with new apprentice Cody Collis and Kyle Wilson-Taylor riding the other two.
The afternoon started perfectly when Italian Riviera ($2.60-fav), ridden by Rodd, won the first, a QTIS 2YO Maiden (I000m), on debut.
Kendrick said the win rewarded connections for their patience.
“We had a very impressive Zoustar gelding that won his jump-outs,” he said.
“Unfortunately, he was bitten by a snake when spelling.
“I liked Italian Riviera, so gave the owners a chance to come into him as a replacement.
“He is a lovely type and should progress to a very nice city class horse.”
Divine Okay ($2.35-fav), ridden by Collis, then made it two wins in the first two races when he bolted in a Benchmark 65 (1000m) by more than five lengths.
Kendrick said the Krew Racing-syndicated gelding appreciated some gear changes.
“After two runs back from a spell he got the opportunity to dictate in front,” he said.
“He was strong and put a big gap on them. He was well rated by Cody to make it two winners at his first weekend back.”
Collis also rode Storm Force Ten to victory at Ipswich on Saturday.
Two greys wearing the Kia Ora Study colours then gave the stable the next two winners.
Divikara ($1.75-fav), ridden by Rodd, broke through in a Maiden (1600m) at his second start for the stable.
The three-year-old, which had one career start before transferring to Kendrick Racing late last year, won convincingly by three-and-three-quarter lengths.
Wassa ($1.75-fav), another tried horse, also broke through in a Maiden-SW (1400m), at her first start for the stable.
The three-year-old filly, ridden by Rodd, was previously trained by Chris Waller.
The fifth and final winner of the afternoon came in the next, a Maiden Plate (1000m), when emergency Torque About Magic ($1.30-fav), romped home.
Ridden by Wilson-Taylor, the three-year-old filly broke through second-up from a spell by nearly six lengths.
“It was a great exclamation mark on what was a fantastic afternoon,” Kendrick said.