Nicconi five-year-old Bonded Affair is at his best when sprinting fresh.
Bonded Affair ($9) returned to racing in style on Friday night (October 10), storming home to win a Class 5 (1000m) sprint at the Sunshine Coast under a cool ride from Ben Thompson.
Trained by Stuart Kendrick, the gelding showed his appreciation for a freshen-up, having spent a week in the paddock prior to the race. Kendrick was full of praise for both horse and rider after the win.
“Bonded Affair appreciated the let-up and a week in the paddock,” Kendrick said.
“He showed that he can sprint very well fresh.”
The race looked fast on paper, and Kendrick credited Thompson’s patience and timing for the result.
“There always looked a lot of speed on paper in that race and Ben rode him patiently,” he said.
“The gaps came and he showed what he can do when he gets a race run to suit.”
With Bonded Affair now back in winning form, Kendrick is eyeing bigger targets.
“Hopefully we can now win a metropolitan race with him, keeping him fresh,” he said.