Paul Messara has both Scissor Kick and Panzer Division in the 2015 Hobartville Stakes field and is happy with the condition of both colts ahead of the Group 2 event at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow, but wishes the pair had received more luck at the barrier draw.
Scissor Kick and Panzer Division will clash in the 2015 Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow. Photo by: Steve Hart
Scissor Kick returned to racing with an impressive win over Delectation in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 7 and Messara told Racing Ahead that the Redoute’s Choice colt has come on significantly from his first-up run, but will need some luck in running to win the Hobartville Stakes this weekend.
“He has progressed well, he is in great shape and I am really happy with him heading into tomorrow,” Messara said.
“His work has been super, he hasn’t missed a beat and he has come through the race extremely well.
“Luck is running is going to play a huge part when you have a field of this quality and the run he gets in the race is going to be critical.
“Realistically from the draw that we have got I can’t see a strung out field and we have the option of going forward or back.
“I have to make up my mind on the day and it will depend on how the track is playing.
“It is a difficult decision to make.”
Panzer Division took on the older horses in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on January 31 and he did not justify his favouritism in betting, but hit the line fairly to finish fourth.
Messara said that he was initially a little bit disappointed with the performance of Panzer Division, but his opinion changed when he viewed the sectionals of the race and he is confident that the three-year-old will produce an improved performance when he steps up to 1400 metres in the Hobartville Stakes.
“He is a very good horse,” Messara said.
“He is still really learning the caper, but I thought that he was really good first-up.
“It was interesting looking at the sectionals after the race from the 800 to the 600 he actually ran his fastest sectional of the race, so it probably told in the last 75 metres of the race when I thought he was going to run over the top.
“There was plenty of merit about the run and I think going forward 1400 metres in a more comfortable distance for him.
“I expect him to run well on Saturday, but once again it is just a poor barrier.
“It is very hard to split them, but if the track is rain affect than Panzer Division has an advantage.”
Shooting To Win has been the best-backed runner in 2015 Hobartville Stakes betting markets, while Scissor Kick ($5.50) is on the second line of betting with Ladbrokes from Panzer Division ($6).
