Win Burn, ridden by Ben Thompson, completed the Cup Day double.
KENDRICK Racing may not have been represented in the major features but still made a mark on Caloundra Cup Day with an exciting double.
The club’s leading stable won the first with promising two-year-old Defiant Spirit (main photo), a hot odds-on favourite, before completing the double later in the afternoon when rejuvenated four-year-old Win Burn won a sprint final.
Defiant Spirit ($1.60-fav), ridden by Ryan Maloney, won the Bruce McLachlan Classic 2YO (1000m) in emphatic style.
He took his record to two wins and a second from three starts, winning comfortably by nearly two lengths.
“He showed plenty of of class, coming back in distance to the 1000 metres after an unlucky last start,” said trainer Stuart Kendrick.
“He is a very promising two-year-old who should improve again next prep after a spell,” he said.
“He will now target the Magic Millions three-year-old feature in January.”
Win Burn ($7.50), ridden by Ben Thompson, made it two wins in a row with a tough victory from in front in the Provincial Sprinters Final Benchmark 80 (1200m).
He had to work a bit early to find the lead but the well-judged ride saw him hold off all challengers in the straight.
“He has always shown ability and is now a genuine metro grade galloper,” said Kendrick.
It was the horse’s fourth win in 18 career starts.
Part-owner Scott Jimmieson, who was on course for the win, said Kendrick had done a remarkable job turning the horse’s form around.
“He always used to do a lot of things wrong and was getting himself beaten in class ones and twos, but the penny has really dropped with him now,” he said.