Postponed Magic Millions no concern for Kendrick

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Stu Kendrick doesn’t see the postponement of the Magic Millions Classic meeting to Friday night as a major hindrance and is hopeful talented colt Luva Flutta can provide an upset in the $3 million feature at the Gold Coast.

Kendrick, who won last year’s Magic Millions Country Cup with Zoumeteor, has never won the Magic Millions Classic but expects his Spirit Of Boom youngster to be competitive.

Luva Flutta is chasing a hat-trick of wins and is a $31 outsider for the Magic Millions Classic over 1200 metres.

He hasn’t raced since winning on a heavy track over 1000 metres on his home track at the Sunshine Coast in mid-November but has had the benefit of a barrier trial when he finished second at Doomben on December 23.

An $80,000 buy, Luva Flutta will be ridden by Jim Orman who recently returned to riding after being sidelined when a horse bit off the tip of his finger.

“It wasn’t ideal to have the race postponed as a few of the horses had to travel down and back,” Kendrick said.

“But it’s an even bunch this year and I expect him to run well.

“He’s done everything right and has won his last two and has won on a wet track.

“His work has been very good and he’s very tough. I can’t fault him.”

Meanwhile Kendrick is also upbeat about the prospects of Redford if he can scrape into the Magic Millions Cup from first emergency.

Redford is still eligible for restricted grade but Kendrick is hopeful of knocking over some of the nation’s best summer sprinters if he gains a start in the Magic Millions Cup.

The Sunshine Coast sprinter was a $1 million purchase at the Magic Millions sales and is an $8 chance in the Magic Millions Cup over 1400 metres.

A son of Snitzel, Redford has been lightly raced winning five of his seven starts including his last start win in the Magic Millions Rising Stars at the Sunshine Coast on January 4.

Kendrick had planned for Redford to make his open company debut in The Gateway at Eagle Farm last month.

However, he was forced to scratch the gelding and missed the opportunity to win a golden ticket into the $3 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap in June.

“I had a few problems with him before The Gateway and had to back off him,” Kendrick said.

“His blood levels weren’t quite right which showed he’d been under a bit of stress and might have caught a bug.

“He’s fine now and he showed that by winning well in the Rising Star last run.

“He was a $1 million yearling and is well put together so hopefully he’ll be competitive too,” he said.

Redford started his career with trainer Annabel Neasham and won his first two starts at Bathurst and Orange before finding his way into Kendrick’s Sunshine Coast stables.