In-form trainer Stuart Kendrick prepared a winning double at Eagle Farm on Saturday and it was made all the more special when Maximum Output landed the second-leg in the Ladbrokes Hcp (1000m).
Maximum Output is one of the most consistent All Too Hard horses in training although he had run 8 placings since last saluting at the Gold Coast in June 2022. “He’s a lovely horse and never stops trying,” Kendrick said among a jubilant throng that race the son of Vinery sire All Too Hard. “He’s a stable favourite even though he’s been finding one just a bit better on the day.
“He’s not a big horse so we claimed 3kg with Bailey Wheeler and that was probably the difference between winning and losing.” The leading apprentice timed his run to perfection in a three-way photo-finish with Flaming Conquest (Love Conquers All) and Beast Mode (Better Than Ready).
“Stuart has been a great supporter and Maximum Output is tough with a big heart,” Wheeler said. “It won’t be his last win, either.”
Kendrick has won 21 races with the All Too Hard breed with the likes of War Too All, The Diamond, Hard Reyva and Bayerische who was the 300th individual winner by the Vinery stallion when he came from last in the Bundamba 2YO Plate (1350m) at the Ipswich Cup meeting in 2021.
All Too Hard’s latest stats total 441 individual winners at a remarkable career strike-rate of 64%.
Maximum Output was sold by Vinery (as agent) for $70,000 at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and Saturday’s win sent his bank through $200,000. He’s the second foal of Brisbane city winner Max It Out (Northern Meteor) following last-start Lismore Cup winner Full Press (Press Statement).
Max It Out transferred to New Zealand where her Ben Kwok-bred winners include Press Charges (Southland Guineas (LR, 1600m). Second-dam Is Amazing (Laranto) won 11 sprints in Perth to Group 3 level in the Roma Cup (1200m).
Kwok also had his mare All Day Baby (More Than Ready) covered by All Too Hard to produce promising Te Akau Racing galloper Insatiable. He won a Taupo 3yo maiden second time out in February and was very impressive winning first-up at Riccarton last month. “Insatiable showed a lot earlier this year but was then a little disappointing after his maiden win,” co-trainer Sam Bergerson reported. “We were scratching our heads but it was probably him needing to mature rather than any lack of ability.”
The Stewards Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) is a possible goal for Insatiable at Riccarton next month. His All Too Hard stablemate Viva Vienna will also strip one of the favoured runners in the NZ 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) at the NZ Cup Day meeting on Saturday, November 18.
There are 11 All Too Hard colts catalogued for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale at Riverside Stables next Tuesday, October 10. Among them is Lot 216, the Vinery-bred half-brother to $500,000 Inglis Nursery (RL, 1000m) winner Saltaire (Star Turn) being prepped by Peter Moffatt at Milewa.
Vinery stands All Too Hard for a $38,500 (inc GST) service fee payable on a live foal. For bookings or further information, contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
