A chance to test in-form Tambo’s Mate at 1400 metres has swayed trainer Stuart Kendrick to run the gelding in the $250,000 The Gateway at Eagle Farm.
Kendrick accepted with Tambo’s Mate in both The Gateway and the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1300m) on Saturday.
He had wanted to see in which race Tambo’s Mate drew best before making a choice but was stymied when the gelding drew barrier 10 in both.
“It hasn’t been a great start to the week as my fillies in the Calaway Gal Stakes on Friday, Sip It Slow and Cosmic Gossip, drew barriers ten and eleven,” Kendrick said.
“And a couple of my other horses drew wide as well.”
The Gateway is restricted to four-year-olds and carries a direct entry into the Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in June.
Tambo’s Mate has won seven of his 12 starts with his longest winning distance 1350m in the Listed Recognition Stakes at his last run three weeks ago.
“I have always felt he would be a 1400 metre horse. The Stradbroke is over 1400 at Eagle Farm so The Gateway is our chance to see if he will be able to handle it,” Kendrick said.
After Saturday’s race Tambo’s Mate will go to The Buffering at Eagle Farm on December 28 in an effort to win a wild card to Magic Millions day,
“He has done a good job this campaign and a place in the Magic Millions would be a bonus,” Kendrick said.
“He is unbeaten at two starts at Eagle Farm so it is now a matter of how he goes at 1400.”
