Ichibansan will chase a third dirt track win and second country feature in succession in Saturday’s Roxby Downs Cup (1800m).
The well-bred galloper comes off a gutsy Port Augusta Cup win when he was on speed and held off a game Our Destrier, who he meets better at the weights this time around, in Heat 4 of the Outback Cups Series.
The half-brother to multiple Group 1 placegetter Dalasan has proven a slow burn throughout his career.
Despite his pedigree he took 14 starts to break his maiden under the care of Andrew Gluyas and co-trainer Leon Macdonald.
He joined the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea stable where he was placed at five of nine starts but has proven an astute $14,000 Inglis Online purchase since joining Kylie McKerlie’s Port Augusta stable.
The rising eight-year-old broke through for his new connections at Port Lincoln in February but has taken to the dirt like a duck to water.
He chased home fellow Cup hopeful Doctor Robert at Port Augusta debut before two impressive victories there at his past two starts having now returned just shy of $90,000 in prizemoney from 14 starts for new owners.