Five home stable runners to follow in 2024/25
Clear Thinking made it 3-from-3 with an outstanding win in the TAB Highway at Randwick on 6 July. (PHOTO: Sportpix)
Paul Messara’s double role as General Manager and private trainer at Arrowfield moved into a new phase in 2023/24 when he was joined in a training partnership by long-time stable foreman Leah Gavranich.
Paul closed out his 18-year solo training career in August 2023 with 501 wins, a winning strike rate of 22% and four Group 1 victories by Coolmore Classic winner Alverta and international sprinting star Ortensia. Paul also has a notable record as trainer of the dams of several top-class Arrowfield graduates, among them Celestial Legend, Contentment, Hitotsu, Kenedna, Stronger and Super Seth, as well as the dams of Extreme Choice & Rothfire.
The Messara & Gavranich partnership began in September, and ended 2023/24 with an outstanding 30% winning strike rate and 38 wins, including a fitting first stakes success, last November’s Newcastle 3YO Spring S. G3 victory by Ortensia’s grand-daughter Genzano. Aaron Bullock, the season’s Champion Australian Country Jockey, was aboard for 23 of the stable’s victories.
With more than 50 horses in work or spelling, and a good number of young horses at various stages of their education, Arrowfield’s home stable has the firepower to exceed last season’s achievements. Paul Messara selects 5 horses capable of significant performance in 2024/25:
KNOW THYSELF – 4YO gelding – The Autumn Sun x Mantra Of Life
Winner of 3 of his 5 starts last season including a Rosehill TAB Highway by 5.3 lengths, Know Thyself ended his 3YO campaign with a gallant third in the Winx Guineas G3 on 14 July and is now enjoying a Spring break. He’ll return to target further stakes races in the Autumn.
CLEAR THINKING (GB) – 5YO mare – Dubawi x Sweet Idea
She is arguably one of the best-bred mares racing in Australia and made a big impact when winning all three of her starts last season, including an 8.2-length debut victory at Scone and a Randwick TAB Highway. The Kosciuszko on 19 October, and suitable black type races will be her primary Spring targets.
INTERVARSITY – 4YO mare – Mikki Isle x Varsity Blues
She was an eye-catching winner of her first two starts by a combined 6.3 lengths at Muswellbrook in November, and she resumes in Saturday’s TAB Highway at Rosehill. Paul says she has stakes racing potential, but will be taken steadily through her grades. “I think she has a fair bit of ability…she’s fit and well, she’s a horse that will be more of a miler and we’ll find that out this prep.”
DEEL ME A QUEEN – 3YO filly – Dundeel x I Am Queen
“A nice filly with good natural ability, she has developed well and will trial in the next few weeks.”
UN-NAMED – 2YO colt – The Autumn Sun x Time Check
A three-quarter brother to recent stakeswinner Willinga Beast from the immediate family of Alizee & Astern, “he’s a really nice, smart horse and a beautiful mover on the track.” One to look out for later in the season.
