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Messara Turns Back The Clock At Hawkesbury

3 minute read

Trainer Paul Messara hopes to turn the clock back when he saddles talented colt Rekindled Power in Saturday’s $150,000 Group 3 Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas.

Paul Messara
Paul Messara Picture: Racing and Sports

Top class mare Alverta was Messara’s first stakes winner when she landed the Hawkesbury Guineas in 2007 when it carried Listed status.

She was also his first city winner and breakthrough G1 winner.

Messara is confident that in spite of a certain wet track he can snare his second Guineas with the Redoute’s Choice three-year-old Rekindled Power (Brenton Avdulla).

“He is going super,” Messara said. “I was really happy with his first-up run, it exceeded our expectations.

“He doesn’t really handle heavy ground, but gets through it. I feel he is up to his ears in Saturday’s race.”

Rekindled Power ran a cracking first-up third during The Championships, behind Delectation and Bring Me The Maid in the G2 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m) on a heavy Randwick surface on April 11 at only his fifth race start.

It was his first outing since finishing sixth to Petrology in the G2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) in November.

Messara has pencilled in Brisbane winter carnival assignments for Rekindled Power. The colt will leave on Monday for races such as the Sunshine Coast Guineas and Queensland Guineas.

A Guineas victory at Hawkesbury would be the icing on the cake for Messara and wife Alice, who welcomed the birth of their third son, Fred, last week.

Mandalong Miss has been withdrawn from the Guineas, reducing the field to 12.

Messara also starts Tarangower (Winona Costin) at Hawkesbury in the Blakes Marine Benchmark 80 Handicap (1500m) but admits he is hopeful more than confident about the four-year-old’s chances after his disappointing sixth to Darci Magic at Randwick on Anzac Day.

“I really expected him to be very competitive last Saturday, and can’t find an excuse,” Messara said.

“But he has come through the race well, so I am backing him up. Hopefully, he can turn that form around.”

Prior to last week’s loss, Tarangower was second to Artlee in The Championships Country Series Final (1400m) at Randwick on April 6.

Laser Hawk and Diademe have been withdrawn from the $150,000 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m), providing starts for emergencies Lucky Lago and Evangelist.


Racing and Sports

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