On paper she may be suited to the likely mud track for her Queensland Cup Day assignment this Saturday in Brisbane but that’s not the only reason Doubtfilly is ready to bounce back and score her second win of the winter in the $80,000 Listed Ascot Handicap (1200m) according to her trainer Stuart Kendrick.
Doubtfilly is co-favourite to win Saturday's Ascot Handicap 2013. Photo: Daniel Costello.
The Not A Single Doubt filly is known as being a mudlark with her past two wins being on Heavy-rated ground most recently in a Class 6 at Eagle Farm on May 11 where she defeated subsequent Glasshouse Handicap winner Someday.
The Sunshine Coast-based Kendrick however knows there’s more to her than just wet tracks and wants to show off Doubtfilly’s versatility on the weekend when she returns to Eagle Farm Racecourse.
“Even though she handles the wet, it slows a few of the others down who can’t handle it quite as well as she does,” Kendrick said.
“She ran fourth in the Golden Slipper on a good track and I still think she’s a better horse on top of the ground because she’s got a really good sprint.”
Her last run was a shocker on paper when beaten eight lengths finishing 15th to defeat just one other runner home in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m).
She was drawn wide that day however (14 of 15) and it was a tough Group 1 assignment, Kendrick willing to forgive that run as well as her Queensland Guineas 12th and third to Peron in the Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich.
“In the (Group 2) Queensland Guineas she was off the track four and five deep the whole way and still only got beaten five lengths by Sizzling,” he said.
“Her run in the Gai Waterhouse was excellent when she was three-wide and had to come from near-last to run a very good third to Peron.
“Then in the Tatt’s Tiara she was up to Group One class and again had no luck when she drew the wide gate.”
Dropping back in class for the Ascot Handicap should suit then on Saturday, Doubtfilly drawn in gate two with Damian Browne to ride, much to her trainer’s relief.
“She’s finally drawn a good gate and I think Damian’s style of riding will really suit her,” Kendrick said.
One thing he is a little concerned about however is her 56kg weight allocation after weights were raised two kilos with the non-acceptance of Adebisi.
“When Adebisi didn’t accept they raised the weights so the horses that were originally on the minimum of 54kg ended up with 56kg,” he said.
“With a rating of 88, Doubtfilly should be getting five kilos from horses like Listen Son (58kg) and Delago Bolt (57.5kg).
“I’m not the only one. There’s others in the same boat that should be getting more weight off these top-weighted horses.”
There are only 11 horses remaining in the Ascot Handicap field following the early withdrawal of both the Toby Edmonds-trained War Ends who will go instead to the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton next Wednesday, and Emotional Circus set to stay in Sydney for a race at Rosehill.
Ascot Handicap betting is an open affair with early market mover Benny’s Buttons sharing early favouritsm with Doubtfilly, the duo paying $5.50 each at bookmaker.com.au.
Kendrick certainly believes his filly is deserving of her spot at the top of the odds and is looking forward to race day which will be her last for the season.
“Although she’s probably coming to the end of her prep I thought this was a nice option before she went to the paddock,” he said.
To get behind Doutbtfilly on Saturday, or any of the other Eagle Farm favourites, head over to bookmaker.com.au where you’ll also have access to exclusive Pick Your Own Odds markets!
