An impressive breakthrough win for two-year-old Momoka was a highlight of a winning treble for Kendrick Racing.
The long-striding Momaka’s victory at her third career start in a QTIS Maiden Plate 2&3YOs (1400m) was the first of three winners for the stable on the Sunshine Coast poly track on Friday (May 29).
Ridden by inform jockey Ben Thompson, Momoka ($4) settled off the speed before circling the field and finishing powerfully, scoring by three-quarters of a length.
“She appreciated getting back onto a firm surface,” Kendrick said.
“Her first-up run in town was very, very good but just didn’t handle the wet track at her next start,” he said.
“She did a great job after travelling wide and was still very strong through the line.
“We will just make up our mind over the next few days whether we push on for a run in a stakes race or look to spell her.”
Thompson and Kendrick combined again later in the program with Warna ($3), who made it two wins for the stable when taking out a Benchmark 58 over the same 1400-metre journey.
In a near carbon-copy result margin-wise, Warna also scored by three-quarters of a length.
“He had been very unlucky at his first two starts back and deserved to get the win,” Kendrick said.
“He is a horse that has always shown ability, but it’s taken a long time to mature so, hopefully, this time and he can put a few together.”
The treble was completed in the final event when the well-fancied Double Whammy ($1.95 favourite), ridden by Jake Bayliss, proved too strong in the Class 1 Plate and Maiden (1600m).
Working into the race before asserting superiority in the straight, Double Whammy delivered as expected to cap a dominant evening.
“Double whammy is another Horse that deserved to win,” Kendrick said.
“He has had a lot of niggling setbacks this preparation and the owners have been very patient,” he said.
“His last two runs were good fitness runs and, up to the right trip, he got a well-deserved win on the board.”