An impressive barrier trial by Gold Coast sprinter Final Crescendo has convinced trainer David Kelly the gelding is back to his best form.
Final Crescendo, twice stakes-placed in Melbourne last spring, will be having his fourth run this campaign in the Group Three Tattersall’s 150th Anniversary Stakes (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The gelding has been racing below his best and finished eighth to Charlie Boy in the BRC Sprint on May 9.
Kelly opted to give him a short break and the horse showed the benefit of that with a second to the Gai Waterhouse-trained Najoom in a Gold Coast barrier trial last week.
Kelly said he wasn’t happy with Final Crescendo when he came back for his current campaign but felt the horse had finally turned the corner.
“I didn’t like the way he was working and I didn’t like the way he was finishing his races so I decided to give him a freshen-up,” Kelly said.
“The trial behind Najoom showed he was getting back to his best and his work since has been very good.
“He only needs to be near his best to win on Saturday.”
The Gold Coast trainer also has promising two-year-old Star Of Night in the 150 Years Of Tattersall’s Stakes (1400m) on Saturday.
Star Of Night remains a maiden after seven starts but she was Group Three placed behind Mishani Honcho in December.
Kelly was taken with the way she found the line at her most recent start at the Sunshine Coast on June 6.
“Her run when fourth at the Sunshine Coast last time was a good pointer,” he said.
“She hit the line like a good horse. The 1400 metres and perhaps a wet track on Saturday will help.”
