Co-trainer Paul Messara is hoping his decision to bypass a start in the Hot Danish Stakes pays dividends when emerging mare Clear Thinking chases a breakthrough black-type victory in the $1 million The Hunter.
The six-year-old has won five of her seven starts, culminating in a brilliant Kosciuszko (1200m) performance last time out when she came from the second half of the field to score.
However, while she has been Group placed, she is yet to a taste stakes success and that is the next box the Scone-based Messara wants to tick, dictating his decision to head to The Hunter (1300m) at Newcastle on Saturday in preference to last weekend’s Hot Danish Stakes (1400m).
“The way it’s worked out, that’s probably the better race for us,” Messara said.
“She has been working very well, it’s1300, and it’s not too far from home.
“It’s a good prizemoney race and the Hot Danish, with the set weights, I thought she’d be better off in The Hunter.
“Where it falls at the end of the carnival, it’s hopefully a touch softer than some of these very competitive races so we’re hopeful she can springboard off this to other things.”
Clear Thinking was first-up when she captured The Kosciuszko (1200m) in October and Messara has been content to take a patient approach with the mare.
He is keeping an open mind on plans but longer-term, is keen to find her a suitable target during the autumn in Sydney.
“We’re keen to get her some black type, that’s the key for her, just to nail down her residual value,” Messara said.
“There are a couple of other races potentially for her heading towards December. But also, it will depend on how far we think she is going to run so we’ll just take it race by race.”
A full field of 16 has accepted for The Hunter, including the Joe Pride-trained quartet of last year’s third placegetter Coal Crusher and stablemates Estadio Mestalla, Accredited and Golden Mile.
Hawkes Racing won it last year with Briasa and have Airman entered on Saturday.
