An exhibition gallop from one of his stable stars inspired John O'Shea to make a rare midweek trip to the races at Canterbury on Wednesday.

And after watching Sweynesse go through his paces, O'Shea also left with the extra satisfaction of notching Godolphin's 10th juvenile win for the season.

Italy led throughout in the TAB Rewards Handicap to earn a chance to qualify for better two-year-old races.

O'Shea confirmed Italy's next start would be in the Sweet Embrace Stakes at Warwick Farm on February 28.

"I've always quite liked her and it's good to get her on the board now," O'Shea said.

"We'll just see where she fits in during the rest of the prep."

It was a professional effort from Italy who winning jockey James McDonald says will appreciate further than 1100m.

"She began really well. I gave her a little squeeze to get across and find the rail and she did that really nicely," McDonald said.

Godolphin is enjoying an extraordinary season with its two-year-olds and four of its leading Golden Slipper hopefuls will clash at Randwick on Saturday in the Lonhro Plate.

The quartet is headed by debut winner Furnaces who shares the second line of Slipper betting.

However, it was three-year-old Sweynesse that enticed O'Shea to Canterbury.

The exciting colt galloped with Australian Derby hopeful Lassitude and while the latter held a narrow margin over his stablemate, neither was extended.

For O'Shea, it was a chance to give the laid-back trackworker a "bit of striding work" and a day out ahead of his return in the Hobartville Stakes on Saturday week.

Sweynesse won his first four starts and suffered his first defeat when third in the Spring Champion Stakes.

He has not raced since the Cox Plate when he finished less than two lengths from winner Adelaide after being blocked for a run in the straight.

"You hope he would improve. We were always very adamant he was a lovely horse and take out the Spring Champion where we probably rode him a bit too aggressively, all his runs have been excellent," O'Shea said.