Sunshine Coast horseman Stuart Kendrick looks to have uncovered a genuine 2020 Stradbroke Handicap horse in Tambo’s Mate after the progressive four-year-old scored an upset win in Saturday’s Group 3 $125,000 BRC Sprint (1200m) at Doomben.

The Mossman gelding took his career record up to eight wins at start number 16 and added to his strong Doomben strike rate when celebrating a narrow upset over Deep Image in a thrilling finish to the BRC Sprint.

It was the horse’s first win since the Listed Tattersall’s Recognition Stakes (1350m) in November last year where he defeated a similar line-up of rivals including the Robert Heathcote-trained Deep Image (3^rd) who was brave in defeat once again.

Tony Gollan’s equal $3.80 favourite in BRC Sprint betting, class mare Outback Barbie rounded out the trifecta in third under a length beaten having gotten a lovely run in transit before racing flat on the straight.

The BRC Sprint field was led around by Mishani Hustler, while jockey Matthew McGillivray had Tambo’s Mate up on the speed in second just ahead of Deep Image and Outback Barbie during the run.

Godolphin’s Group 1 winner Kementari meanwhile was last out the gates having missed the kick and was racing worse than midfield three deep throughout in a disappointing effort.

There was a line of three into the top of the straight, while Kementari was coming with a too-late run down the outside, as Tambo’s Mate and Deep Image shrugged off Mishani Hustler and Outback Barbie tried to keep her position.

Over the final 50m it was Tambo’s Mate and Deep Image stride-for-stride, the two double figure fancies making a real go of it with the former just holding off the challenge to salute by a short half-head on the inside.

“It’s pretty satisfying,” winning trainer Kendrick said after the race.

“He’s done a great job this horse. He was really tough today. It’s great to have Matty back on, he knows him really well.

“It was good to see him do that today.

“He’s a high-speed horse. He likes to roll along and he’s tough. He can run some really good sectionals.

“They’ve had a few good battles those two horses (Tambo’s Mate and Deep Image). I really like the way he dug in and fought it out.”

Outback Barbie, having hit a flat spot at the top of the straight, got going again at the 150m and got up into third.

Before the BRC Sprint result, Tambo’s Mate was $41 for the Group 1 $350,000 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 6.

He has subsequently firmed into $18 in the pre-field markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.

“It gives us some confidence going forward into the next two legs now,” Kendrick added, referring to the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on May 23 and the Stradbroke a fortnight later.

BRC Sprint runner-up Deep Image has come in slightly from $34 to $31, while Outback Barbie has eased out from $13 to $18.

Kementari remains at $15 with excuses in the BRC Sprint and improvement expected at the roomier Eagle Farm track over more distance.

Click here for the latest all-in 2020 Stradbroke Handicap betting odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.

2020 BRC Sprint Results

Place	#	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Margin	Barrier	Weight	SP
1	9	TAMBO’S MATE	Stuart Kendrick	Matthew McGillivray	–	9	54kg	$12
2	6	DEEP IMAGE	Robert Heathcote	Ms Stephanie Thornton (a)	0.1L	7	56.5kg	$16
3	8	OUTBACK BARBIE	Tony Gollan	Jim Byrne	0.85L	3	56kg	$3.80EF
4	5	VEGA ONE	Tony Gollan	Baylee Nothdurft (a)	1.05L	10	57kg	$6
5	1	KEMENTARI	James Cummings	Ryan Maloney	1.15L	8	61kg	$3.80EF
6	4	BANDIPUR	Kelly Purdy	Michael Cahill	1.35L	4	57kg	$19
7	3	TYZONE	Toby & Trent Edmonds	Robbie Fradd	1.45L	5	58kg	$19
8	10	MISHANI HUSTLER	Les Ross	Mark Du Plessis	1.65L	6	54kg	$26
9	7	SESAR	Kacy Fogden	Jag Guthmann-Chester	2.15L	2	56.5kg	$26
10	2	VICTOREM	Jenny Graham	Brad Stewart	5.4L	1	58.5kg	$6.50