Bonfire’s reputation preceded him. And not in a good way.

But some tough love from trainer Gai Waterhouse has moulded the non-complier into a horse poised to deliver on his potential.

A Group Two winner in England, Bonfire will make his Australian debut in Saturday’s Dooleys Handicap at Rosehill on the back of two sharp barrier trial performances.

So far, Waterhouse is winning the battle of minds.

“He came with a little bit of a reputation,” said Waterhouse’s stable representative Mark Newnham.

“He’s conformed now.

“He’s jumped, he’s done some figure-eight work. We’ve just mixed it up a bit with him and he seems to be enjoying himself now.

“Getting him happy is probably the key to him.”

Bonfire’s Sydney debut comes on the same afternoon two of his stablemates make their seasonal returns in the Group Three San Domenico Stakes (1100m).

A race Waterhouse last won in 2007 with Sliding Cube, the San Domenico has attracted nine runners and in an open race, seven of them are $12 and under.

Bookmakers rate Wandjina ($9) as Waterhouse’s best chance with stablemate Hampton Court a $31 outsider.

Newnham agrees Wandjina has the speed to make an impact on Saturday.

“Both are promising horses but at different ends of the scale as far as distance goes,” Newnham said.

“Wandjina is a high-speed horse and he’s a more mature horse this time.”

By a prolific producer of winners in Snitzel, Wandjina’s sole juvenile victory was in a midweek race at Warwick Farm.

But he wasn’t disgraced in black-type company, finishing fourth in the Todman Stakes, less than three lengths from the winner Ghibellines.

Hampton Court has indicated his forte will be over further than the 1100m of the San Domenico, and on firm tracks.

Traditionally a springboard into the big carnival races, the San Domenico boasts an honour roll which includes Gold Edition, Testa Rossa, General Nediym and Tierce.

However, Saturday’s edition has attracted just one stakes winner, Law, a former Waterhouse galloper now with Chris Waller.