Scissor Kick has yet to win a Group One race but his trainer Paul Messara already rates him among the best he has trained.
The showed he will be a force to be reckoned with this autumn with a dashing win in Saturday’s Group Three Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.
His spring campaign started in style with stakes wins in the Rosebud and Up And Coming Stakes.
Scissor Kick
But Messara’s Group One dreams were dashed when Scissor Kick finished a close second to Hallowed Crown in the Golden Rose and midfield in the Coolmore Stud Stakes won by Brazen Beau.
“He is as good as any horse I have trained,” Messara said.
“His Golden Rose run was the best of his career and I knew then how special he was.
“He has a massive engine and a lovely action.”
That action was evident when the $6 chance overhauled Delectation ($3.60) in the final stages of Saturday’s race.
Runner-up in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, Delection took a late wayward step which slowed his momentum while Scissor Kick was powering to the line.
The margin was a long neck with another half length to Harrier Jet ($9.50).
Favourite Inz’n’out ($3) missed the start then had to work hard to get into the race before weakening out of proceedings.
Messara, who wears two hats as a trainer and general manager of his family’s Arrowfield Stud, is understandably keen for a Group One win to add to Scissor Kick’s value.
“The Randwick Guineas his aim,” he said.
“He has already cemented his position as one of the top colts around.”
The Randwick Guineas (1600m) is on March 7, the same day as the Australian Guineas at Flemington which is the likely aim for Scissor Kick’s stablemate and fellow Redoute’s Choice colt Panzer Division.
Scissor Kick edged out Panzer Division in a tight finish to the Up And Coming Stakes and the two will clash in the Hobartville Stakes in two weeks.
“Unfortunately they will clash in the Hobartville and my intention is to split them after that,” Messara said.
“I would prefer to keep Scissor Kick in Sydney.”
