Bush trainer Darryl Dodson can’t wait for the day when Finiguerra, a dual entry at Moonee Valley, decides he wants to be a genuine racehorse.
The lightly-raced five-year-old has been remarkably consistent with four wins and four placings from his nine starts but Dodson, who trains at Telopea Downs on the Victorian and South Australian border, says Finiguerra still hasn’t worked out the racing caper.
“He’s a handy horse but he just needs to become a racehorse,” Dodson said.
“He is still having trouble getting his head around it.”
Finiguerra is entered for a 1600-metre open handicap at Moonee Valley on Saturday but will probably run in the easier 2040-metre event for 0-82 class horses to gain more experience to switch him on.
“He can’t really handle pressure,” Dodson said.
Finiguerra had a delayed start to his racing career after suffering sesamoiditis as a young horse.
After several preparations going sore without a run, he placed at his debut at Strathalbyn in March and won his next three runs at Murray Bridge, Ballarat and Morphettville, stepping up in 200-metre increments from 1400 metres.
Dodson hoped that Finiguerra would realise his potential this campaign but the progress has been slow.
First-up he finished second at Morphettville when he wouldn’t go straight and then won at Morphettville after being urged along all the way.
Two starts ago at Caulfield he completely spat the dummy to the dismay of Dodson and jockey Holly McKechnie who has ridden him every start.
“He didn’t want to race at all,” Dodson said. “He came out of the gates but he didn’t want to join in.”
Finiguerra finished sixth of the eight runners and Dodson put blinkers on him last start for the Visit Victoria Handicap (1600m) at Flemington.
For the first time Dodson saw a glimpse of the horse’s true ability that he always knew was there and he finished third, a long neck behind the winner He’s Remarkable, who lines up this Saturday as one of the favourites in the $1 million Group One Railway Stakes in Perth.
“Last time was the most professional he has raced and a good step in the right direction,” Dodson said.
“Up until then he had only been doing what he had to and luckily he was good enough to get away with it.
“He did everything pretty right last time and hopefully he will race like that again on Saturday.
“It has taken him a while but the wait might be worth it.
“We know he is quite good in the wet and if we can get him switched on now we might be able to put him away and bring him back for the autumn.”
AAP TURF
