Bonded Affair has bounced back under lights.
The six-year-old gelding returned to winning form in a Class 5 Handicap (1000m) at the Sunshine Coast on Friday night (September 11).
Ridden confidently by Ben Thompson, Bonded Affair started a $3.50 favourite and produced a strong finishing burst to score by a quarter of a length, recording his sixth career victory.
The win was a welcome reward for connections after a frustrating run of luck this campaign.
Bonded Affair has contested stronger metropolitan assignments without things going his way.
Kendrick said the decision to return to 1000 metres and remove the earmuffs proved key.
“It was a satisfying result,” Kendrick said.
He just hasn’t had any luck this preparation in strong metropolitan races,” he said.
“We made the decision to keep him to the 1000 metres and take the earmuffs off.
“That just allowed him to sprint quicker to the line, and he was ridden by to perfection by Ben.”
Settling comfortably for Thompson, Bonded Affair travelled strongly before unleashing his trademark speed in the straight to edge clear and secure the narrow but decisive victory.