Kennedy has sent Dalwhinnie to the paddock after a stellar end to her season when she strung together three straight wins, including a last-start victory over 2000m at Riccarton 10 days ago.
The 4yr-old was destined to go over more ground eventually - she is a sister to New Zealand Cup winner Spring Cheer. Kennedy was rapt with her first effort past a mile.
''She was probably down in the worst part of the track, too.
''She did pull a wee bit but not as much as she did the start before. When she learns to relax a lot better, she'll have a better sprint at the end.''
Kennedy left the daughter of Bachelor Duke in Christchurch where she will enjoy six to eight weeks in the paddock before coming back in to work.
''You would think the further she goes, the better she's going to be,'' he said.
''Dalwhinnie may get the chance to emulate her sister, but Kennedy is unsure when.
''She could be a New Zealand Cup horse this year but she may be next year.''
Kennedy's task in placing her next year was helped slightly by her penalty of just four points for winning at Riccarton.
She will return rated at 74, giving him plenty of rating 75 racing options.
Kennedy rates Dalwhinnie and Princess Brook as the two thoroughbreds with the most potential in his stable.
Princess Brook will be due back about the same time as Dalwhinnie, after being spelled due to minor niggles in February.
''She'll come back in six weeks too and get ready as well. She's really grown and got a lot stronger so I'm expecting her to have a really good season next season.''
The 3yr-old daughter of Raise The Flag had three starts as a 2yr-old for one placing before returning this season to win two of her four starts, including a New Zealand Bloodstock Pearl Series race at Gore on January 22 for owner Fred King.
Four of the nine races at Sunday's Wairio Cup meeting at Winton went to North Island trainers, including the $25,000 cup.
Red Ripper's last-gasp win over local hope Motorboat Mike added to a top day for trainers Kenny and Lisa Rae, who have most of their team based at Ruakaka, near Whangarei.
They have a smaller team based at Riccarton.
Red Ripper won the Waikouaiti Cup earlier this year. Earlier, Paintball provided the Raes with their first Winton win when he won a 1200m maiden race.
Waiuku trainer Sean Cameron trained a running double courtesy of Werio in the rating 75 1600m and Storm Home in the rating 65 2000m.
