Paul Messara is confident his choice to skip the Hot Danish Stakes will pay off when Clear Thinking lines up in the $1 million The Hunter (1300m) at Newcastle.
The six-year-old mare has won five of her seven starts, most recently producing a brilliant finish to capture the Kosciuszko (1200m).
While Group placed, Clear Thinking is yet to secure a stakes win, and Messara believes this is the right race to change that.
“The way it’s worked out, that’s probably the better race for us,” Messara said.
“She has been working very well, it’s 1300, and it’s not too far from home.”
Messara hopes to use The Hunter as a stepping stone to autumn features in Sydney.
“We’re keen to get her some black type, that’s the key for her, just to nail down her residual value,” he said.
A full field of 16 has accepted, including Joe Pride’s quartet—Coal Crusher, Estadio Mestalla, Accredited and Golden Mile—alongside Hawkes Racing’s contender Airman.