Written by Paul Vettise
Sunshine Coast trainer Stuart Kendrick made an impression at last year’s Sydney autumn carnival with a bargain buy and he’s hoping a similar scenario can play out at Randwick on Saturday.
Twelve months ago, Kendrick produced Eric The Eel (Olympic Glory {Ire}) to finish in the money in the G1 Australian Derby after which he was sold to Hong Kong interests and has since been a winner there and finished third in the Listed Hong Kong Classic Mile.
Eric The Eel was snapped up for just $7000 out of Arrowfield Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale draft and the stable is looking for another top result with I’ve Bean There (Spill The Beans) in the G1 Moet & Chandon Champagne S.
I’ve Bean There was bought by Kendrick and Clarke Bloodstock for $13,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale where he was offered by Gainsborough Lodge.
I've Bean There as a yearling
“We’ve had a little bit of luck with a few of Spill The Beans’ progeny and I thought he was a very athletic horse,” Kendrick said.
“We’ve had a little bit of luck with a few of Spill The Beans’ progeny and I thought he (I've Bean There) was a very athletic horse.” – Stuart Kendrick
“I was surprised we got him for that price. We took Eric down there and he finished third in the Derby so hopefully this one can do something similar.”
I’ve Bean There was third when resuming following a break and then ran fifth in the Aquis Jewel before he showed his appreciation of a step up to 1400 metres with victory at Eagle Farm.
“His first-up run was enormous, he was four and five deep the whole way at the Sunshine Coast and he finished off well in the worst part of the track,” Kendrick said.
“He went to the Jewel and it ended up a Heavy 9 and it was very wet on the inside and he got trapped there and worked home well under the circumstances.”
Kendrick believes I’ve Bean There’s trump card is the likelihood of him being untroubled to handle 1600 metres at Randwick.
“He’s always showed us plenty of ability and looked like a horse that needed 1400 metres or a mile and he finished really hard at his last start,” he said.
“He’s (I’ve Bean There) always showed us plenty of ability and looked like a horse that needed 1400 metres or a mile and he finished really hard at his last start.” – Stuart Kendrick
“After that we earmarked a race like the G1 JJ Atkins at the end of our carnival. We gave him an easy few days after his win and he came through it so well that I thought we’d keep him ticking over with the Champagne in mind.
“With the Triple Crown down there, it often falls away a bit with a lot of the Slipper and Sires’ Produce horses dropping off.
“As it’s turned out, there’s no Anamoe and Stay Inside didn’t push forward. Whether it’s winnable or not for us we’ll find out, but it’s a race we’re happy to roll the dice for and have a crack at.
“With what he has showed us, the 1600 metres will definitely suit him. He’s a genuine horse who doesn’t do much wrong and at the end of the carnival there’s a lot of horses that can’t run the trip and I’m fairly confident that he will.”
I’ve Bean There has been ridden in all three runs this preparation by James Orman and he will continue his association at Randwick.
“He was keen to come down, that gives us a little more confidence, we’re happy to have him on board again,” Kendrick said.
