Trainer Paul Messara has confirmed that Scissor Kick will contest the 2015 BTC Cup at Doomben on May 9 after he impressed in trackwork this morning.
Scissor Kick will have the chance to record a maiden win at Group 1 level in the 2015 BTC Cup. Photo by: Steve Hart
Scissor Kick had a disrupted 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival due to a virus that saw him miss the Group 1 Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m), but the Redoute’s Choice colt returned to racing with an impressive fourth place finish behind Dissident in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 18.
Messara told Sky Racing HQ this morning that Scissor Kick had come out of the BTC Cup in excellent condition and he revealed that the three-year-old would contest the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) before stepping back-up in trip for the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) and Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
“He came out of the race really well and we are really happy with him,” Messara said.
“He actually galloped this morning and he will gallop again next Monday before he heads to Queensland where he will be running in the BTC Cup.
“It is back to 1200, which is probably a touch short for him and I would have preferred 1400 04 1350, so like obviously the Doomben 10,000 and the Stradbroke will be, but he is really well and his work this morning was as good as it has ever been.
“He looks a picture.
“The races are generally run at a good tempo up in Queensland, they won’t be sit and sprints, and being at Doomben that always forces the speed a little bit, which I think will suit him.
“Barriers are going to be really important up there, especially at Doomben because it is a tricky track and if you draw wide it is very hard to win.
“Barriers will be very important over his next three starts.”
Messara has previously had success taking horses from Australia overseas and he won the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) in the UAE as well as the Group 2 King George Stakes (1006m) and Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1006m) in England and he said that he remains keen to take Scissor Kick overseas.
The Scone-based trainer believes that the Group 1 July Cup (1207m) at Newmarket would be a nice race for Scissor Kick, but he believes that the three-year-old would need to win a maiden Group 1 win in Brisbane before a trip overseas is contemplated.
“We did contemplate a possible trip,” Messara said.
“The race that I have always wanted to win is the July Cup and it is still a possibility if he could go to Queensland and win.
“He hasn’t had any of his EI boosters, so that is a consideration as well and leading into his next race I wasn’t keen to give him those boosters prior to running.
“We will see how he goes at his next start, but my thinking with any overseas travel is that you need to be winning Group 1s in Australia before you go.
“I think he is a horse that is up for it and he is continuing to improve.”
The 2015 BTC Cup nominations were released by Racing Queensland this afternoon and Scissor Kick is one of 22 horses that are still a chance to contest the Group 1 event.
