Good looks and bad manners are usually reserved for the catwalk but trainer Matt Laurie has been getting a taste of both thanks to three-year-old Dominant.
Fortunately for Laurie, while Dominant is retaining his model looks his temperament is mellowing.
“He’s a magnificent horse this horse. A stunning horse,” Laurie said.
“But he’s been immature and he was quite a handful when we were breaking him in and preparing him for the races.
“He has taken a lot of work.”
Dominant is set to resume in Saturday’s Listed Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley, provided the track surface is reasonable.
He has raced just once finishing an unlucky and narrow second to Wales at Listed level in April.
Laurie decided to throw him in the deep end on debut after he produced a sharp barrier trial effort sporting blinkers and his gamble almost paid off.
But the Mornington trainer wasn’t tempted to press on deciding some time maturing in the paddock might help improve Dominant’s behaviour.
“We took the approach that we’d throw him out and let him get his head right and learn to relax,” Laurie said.
“We got a glimpse of what he’s capable of and I didn’t want to punish him.
“He’s much better now. He can be a bit hot and from what I’m told that’s a Montjeu trait and he’s out of a Montjeu mare. So it might not be his fault.”
Dominant has drawn the inside which Laurie isn’t rapt about given his size and need for galloping room.
He would also have liked to get another trial under the gelding’s belt before his return.
But while Laurie is heading into Saturday’s race cautiously he has no such reservations about the rest of the spring.
“The aim is the (Caulfield) Guineas. That’s the plan but of course he’s got to measure up,” he said.
Nicholas Hall has the ride on Dominant in the McKenzie.
He is a $6 chance with the Peter Moody-trained Liberty Rock TAB Sportsbet’s favourite at $4.
