It isn’t quite Royal Ascot but trainer Paul Messara will break new ground on Saturday when he runs favourite Ortensia in the Group One Winterbottom Stakes in Perth.
Messara travelled to England in June last year with Alverta who finished down the track in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot before her game third in the July Cup at Newmarket.
This time, it is Perth’s Ascot racetrack where he will pin his hopes on another mare, recent acquisition Ortensia.
“It will be my first runner in Perth,” Messara said.
“It is absolutely a good experience and I’ll certainly come back for some of these good races with the right horse.”
Messara landed in Western Australia on Monday and said he was pleased with how Ortensia had settled in since her arrival a week earlier.
Not that there was any doubt she would cope with the trip.
“Prior to coming to my stable she had raced in Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland and Perth,” Messara said.
“She’s got plenty of frequent flyer points.”
Previously prepared by Tony Noonan, Ortensia won the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in 2009 when it was a Group Two race.
Overall she has nine victories from 28 starts, including a dominant Flemington win at her only run for Messara on Oaks Day.
The one thing missing from her CV is a Group One.
She was first past the post in the 2010 Galaxy at Randwick but later disqualified due to a positive swab, believed to have been a result of contaminated feed.
Her chances of righting that have been boosted by a good draw in gate two along with the booking of Craig Williams who has been in sterling form during the Melbourne spring.
Williams partnered Ortensia in the Winterbottom two years ago and Messara is happy to stick to a winning formula.
“More than having just won at the track and trip, she’s won this race,” Messara said.
“She’s got the same jockey on and the rider is in fantastic form.
“It does give you a bit of confidence.”
TAB Sportsbet has Ortensia the solid $2.30 favourite ahead of Darley’s Rarefied at $6.
Ranger is fancied to provide a win for the locals in the other Group One on the program, the Railway Stakes (1600m).
AAP TURF
