Heartoni to give Kendrick some New Year joy

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Stuart Kendrick is hopeful the New Year can bring more stable joy on his home track at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday.

Kendrick has seven runners engaged at the Sunshine Coast meeting, spearheaded by talented sprinter Heartoni in the Class 5 Handicap over 1000 metres.

“We’ve had another good year again and hopefully we can start the New Year off in the same way,” Kendrick said.

Heartoni was bought online by Kendrick and has started 15 times for five wins and as many placings.

“I trained his mother (Heartford) who won five races and she was small like him but she had a big heart,” Kendrick said.

Heartoni was beaten two lengths at his last appearance when fourth to the Tony Gollan-trained Bezique in a 1000 metre Class 6 Handicap at Eagle Farm on December 21.

“I like Heartoni’s run last start and he’s in the right race on Wednesday,” Kendrick said.

“He looks to be in with a great chance of winning and he’s won in town and has a good record.

“He’s a real good bread and butter horse for the stable.”

Kendrick has been a dominant force since setting up base at the Sunshine Coast in 2014 and has won the past 11 trainers’ premierships there.

He trained a treble at the Boxing Day meeting at the Sunshine Coast last week.

Kendrick has been a regular in the top 10 in the metropolitan and state trainer’s titles with a large team of more than 60 in work.

Part of his success in recent times is due to the establishment of his property at Palmwoods.

The stable has a small property about a 15-minute drive from the Sunshine Coast Turf Club where he gives his horses a short break after each run.

“I bought a 40-acre property four years ago and we’ve steadily built it up over the years,” Kendrick said.

“I’ve got a 500-metre synthetic track, a walker, and a treadmill which the horses seem to thrive on when they come out here.

“We’ve got 20 stables on the farm and it’s been a big part of our success.

“Some of the horses come to the farm after a run and spend five to six days here."