Scissor Kick has drifted out to 2016 Futurity Stakes odds of $19, but jockey Craig Williams is extremely confident about the chances of the talented entire in the Group 1 event at Caulfield tomorrow.
Scissor Kick will return to the races in the 2016 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield tomorrow. Photo by: Steve Hart
Scissor Kick has not recorded a race win since he beat Delectation to take out the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 7 and he produced credible efforts in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 18 and the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 9, but he suffered bone bruising when he ran in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) at the same venue a fortnight later.
Trainer Paul Messara gave Scissor Kick a lengthy stint in the spelling paddock and nursed him back to full health before the son of Redoute’s Choice showed that he was ready to return to the races when he finished second behind Lizard Island in a barrier trial over 990 metres at Cranbourne on February 8.
Williams has had the opportunity to ride Scissor Kick in track work in the lead-up to the Futurity Stakes and he could not be happier with the feel that he has received from the four-year-old, but he admits that the returning galloper faces a tough challenge against the strong Futurity Stakes field.
“They are really high,” Williams told Racing Ahead when asked about his confidence levels.
“It is amazing because I am either going to be right with the horse or I am going to be extremely disappointed.
“I feel that my horse has just been working exceptionally well and I know that Paul is very exciting about him resuming.
“The only problem is that he hasn’t been to the races for such a long time, but the way that he has worked and the feeling he has given me I am confident that he is going to be right up to this quality race and he is going to take some beating.
“It is a great race and it has quality all the way through it.”
Scissor Kick is currently available at 2016 Futurity Stakes odds of $19 with Ladbrokes and he is on the ninth line of betting behind Turn Me Loose ($3.20), Hucklebuck ($5.50), Suavito ($5.50), Boban ($8.50), Stratum Star ($13), Trust In A Gust ($14) and Rebel Dane ($17).
Williams is chasing his third win in the Futurity Stakes after previously winning the race with Niconero in 2008 and 2009.
