Trainer Lloyd Kennewell is weighing up a trip north or a spell for Straand Deal to prepare for the spring carnival, after the gelding notched up his third consecutive win at Sandown.
The victory in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Handicap (2400m) on Saturday was Straand Deal’s first at the distance, following earlier wins over 2014m at Morphettville and 2100m at Sandown.
The race was billed as a contest between two lightly raced, developing stayers, with Simurgh setting the pace while Straand Deal was ridden conservatively by Billy Egan.
Straand Deal ($4.20) eventually wore down the $3.20 favourite Simurgh to score by a head, with Oceana Dream ($8) finishing a further three-quarters of a length back in third.
Kennewell indicated that the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on July 4 would be considered if they decided to press on, otherwise the gelding would be given a break to prepare for the major spring races.
Last year’s Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup winner, Half Yours, had won the Caloundra Cup en route to his dual Cups success.
“He’s a nice stayer in the making,” Kennewell commented.
“I’ll have to have a chat to Gerry Harvey as to whether we push to a Caloundra Cup or whether I stop and reset.
“He might be a horse that can get into a nice race off a lightweight as he’s got so much more to give. He’s got a big tank, and I don’t know if I want to gut him or not.
“I think you dream big and you have to in this industry as how many chances to you get with a horse to get to a Caulfield or Melbourne Cup.
“He might not be the right horse, but he might be, but if you don’t try you don’t know.
“People pay millions overseas and I’ve got one in my backyard that has won three on the bounce and is a nice horse.
“If I think he’s had enough, I will stop on Monday and he can have a spell with Mbube, otherwise he could be on a plan to Caloundra.”
The win of Straand Deal completed a double for Kennewell, who also won the opening race, the Sportsbet Fastform Handicap (1000m), with debutant Mbube.
Check out the latest online bookmakers for the best racing odds.
