Luck has deserted Scissor Kick in recent starts but trainer Paul Messara is adamant the colt has the quality to win at Group One level.
He is hoping that can happen as soon as Saturday in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
Messara says Saturday’s 1200m sprint looms as the most competitive Group One race for three-year-olds this season but he remains confident Scissor Kick is up to the challenge.
Scissor Kick was luckless in the Golden Rose when he was narrowly beaten by the fast-finishing Hallowed Crown after covering extra ground.
He also endured a tough run in the Stan Fox Stakes when he finished second to subsequent Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting To Win.
“His last two starts he’s had absolutely no luck. There’s no doubt he should have won a Group One already but the cards didn’t fall our way in the Golden Rose,” Messara said.
“He’s going to run a very strong 1200 metres and I reckon there’s a few that might be a little suspect down the straight.
“It’s not your standard 1200 metres. They’ll be rolling along and I think it will be a tough race. And the tougher it is, I think the better he’ll go.”
Messara admits it is difficult for a horse to peak twice in a preparation which is the query with Scissor Kick.
But the trainer says he can’t fault the colt who has settled into Melbourne well and won a jump-out down the straight at Flemington last Friday.
“I’m really happy with his wellbeing and often with colts like him, you change their environment and you get that little bit more out of them,” Messara said.
“Coming down to Melbourne has certainly got him on the toe and switched him right on, and we’re also going with the blinkers for the first time in this race.
“So that’s a couple of things I think might just sharpen him up a bit.”
Caulfield Guineas runner-up Rich Enuff, winner of the Danehill Stakes over the course and distance earlier in the spring, opened at $4.20 with TAB fixed odds on Wednesday and has firmed into $3.10.
Kuro, Rubick, Brazen Beau and Earthquake are the only other runners under double figures with Scissor Kick at $12.
Rubick will start from the inside gate alongside Earthquake while Kuro (barrier 16) and Brazen Beau (15) will jump closest to the grandstand side.
Rich Enuff has barrier 10.
