This Saturday Paul Messara’s setback king Mic Mac will look to win their first race in four years when they take on a small but classy field in the Civic Stakes 2013 at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney.
A rising eight-year-old Statue Of Liberty gelding Mic Mac has spent much of the past three seasons on the sidelines racing just five times since October of 2010.
Third behind Black Piranha and Melito in the Stradbroke Handicap three years ago during their prime Mick Mac hasn’t won a race since the Group 2 Memsie Stakes (1400m) way back in August of 2009 when prepared by former grainer Greg Eurell.
“He’s been plagued with injuries over the past two years and it’s been difficult to get any sort of run on with him,” Messara said.
“He’s probably got the worst legs ever in terms of conformation so he’s always susceptible to little injuries.”
Mic Mac resumed off a year-long break this May to beat home just two rivals in the Listed Ortensia Stakes (1100m) at their home track at Scone.
Their second-up effort was far more encouraging however.
Travelling to Randwick the grand old galloper finished a credible fourth to She’s Clean when carrying a hefty 60kg and coming from behind in the Listed June Stakes (1200m).
And now this Saturday they get the chance to improve on that again as one of just eight hopefuls accepted for the $100,000 Listed Civic Stakes (1350m).
Their 104 rating sees them installed at the top of the weights too with 59kg, the Joe Pride-trained See The World following on 58kg.
While it’s certainly been a long time between drinks for Mic Mac they do look a good chance in the winter classic that also features the Chris Waller-trained Said Com and Gai Waterhouse’s last start winner Under The Sun.
By watching Mic Mac in his track gallopers you’d be fooled into thinking they were past it.
But Messara is willing to press on knowing with this one its more about their attitude and overall fitness.
“He’s never a great trackworker so you don’t see much on the training paddocks but he’s fitter and healthy and we expect him to race well on Saturday,” Messara said.
In an attempt to show his horse’s best form Messara will instruct jockey Christian Reith to race them up on the speed in the Civic Stakes after they jump from barrier five.
“He, unusually, jumped poorly last start but I would expect him to race in the first four on Saturday providing he jumps well,” Messara said.
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