Italian Dancer has delivered on his early promise.
The four-year-old gelding, trained by Stuart Kendrick and ridden by Ben Thompson, claimed a Ratings Band 0-58 (1200m) in a driving finish as a $6.50 chance on Sunday (January 11).
Kendrick was quick to acknowledge that the journey with Italian Dancer has not always been an easy one.
“Patience paid off for the owners,” Kendrick said after the race at the Sunshine Coast.
“He has been a frustrating horse. He has always shown a lot in his trackwork and trials but has been disappointing.”
Italian Dancer had returned this preparation off the back of an encouraging trial but failed to reproduce that form at his first run, leaving the stable searching for answers.
Kendrick explained that a subtle tweak proved the key.
“After a brilliant trial he failed to perform first-up, but with a gear change and step up in trip we got the result,” he said.
That gear adjustment, combined with Thompson’s patient handling, allowed Italian Dancer to relax, find his rhythm, and finish strongly when it mattered.
Kendrick also praised Thompson for executing the game plan to perfection.
“It was a great ride by Ben,” Kendrick said.
With confidence restored and a win now on the board, Kendrick indicated Italian Dancer would be given the opportunity to stretch out in distance in the coming weeks.