Trainer Paul Messara believes that Scissor Kick is ready to peak third-up in the 2015 Royal Randwick Guineas in Sydney this weekend.
Scissor Kick has the chance to record a maiden win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Royal Randwick Guineas this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart
Scissor Kick started his 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival with a strong win over Delectation and Harrier Jet in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 7 and he was far from disgraced when he hit the strongly to finish fifth in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at the same venue on February 21.
Messara told Sky Racing HQ that, unlike stablemate Panzer Division, Scissor Kick has trained on strongly coming out of the Hobartville Stakes and is ready to perform at his best in the Group 1 Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m).
“I am very happy with him,” Messara said.
“I think that the horse is thriving.
“He seems to kind of peak third-up and that is indicated in his work and his demeanor.”
Scissor Kick has recorded three wins at Group level, but he is still chasing his maiden win at the highest level of racing.
The Redoute’s Choice colt made his debut at Group 1 level in the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens in September last year and he was only narrowly denied by Hallowed Crown after being caught three wide throughout, while he was caught in the wrong part of the track when ninth in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 1.
Messara is hoping that Scissor Kick’s luck can turn around in the Royal Randwick Guineas this weekend and he believes that the three-year-old is more than capable of beating the likes of Shooting To Win, Hallowed Crown and Sweynesse if he gets a kind barrier draw and luck in running
“I was happy enough with his last run,” Messara said.
“I don’t think there is much between these Sydney colts and luck in running is a huge factor.
“When he has got to the top grade this horse has been a little bit unlucky and I just want a decent run and a decent barrier so we don’t have to be used up too much early.”
Scissor Kick is currently available at 2015 Royal Randwick Guineas odds of $7.50 with Ladbrokes and is on the fifth line of betting behind Hallowed Crown ($2.80), Shooting To Win ($3), Sweynesse ($3.80) and Kermadec ($5.50).
