2025 The Hunter Clear goal for Paul Messara mare

Scone-based trainer Paul Messara is hoping patience pays off when his consistent mare Clear Thinking lines up in the $1 million The Hunter at Newcastle this weekend.

Messara made the call to skip last week’s Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill, believing Saturday’s 1300m feature shapes as a better fit for the mare both in conditions and timing.

“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.

“It’s a good prizemoney race and the Hot Danish, with the set weights, I thought she’d be better off in The Hunter.”

Clear Thinking has won five of her seven starts, most recently delivering a barnstorming victory in the Kosciuszko (1200m) last month when she finished powerfully from the second half of the field.

Despite already showing Group-level ability, she is yet to land a stakes race — something Messara is determined to tick off as her next milestone.

“Where it falls at the end of the carnival, it’s hopefully a touch softer than some of these very competitive races so we’re hopeful she can springboard off this to other things.”

The mare has been kept fresh since The Kosciuszko, with Messara prioritising long-term planning and keeping an open mind for the months ahead.

“We’re keen to get her some black type, that’s the key for her, just to nail down her residual value,” he said.

“There are a couple of other races potentially for her heading towards December. But also, it will depend on how far we think she is going to run so we’ll just take it race by race.”

The Hunter has attracted a full and competitive field of 16 runners, including Joe Pride’s strong team of Coal Crusher, Estadio Mestalla, Accredited and Golden Mile. Hawkes Racing, who claimed last year’s race with Briasa, will again be represented — this time by Airman.

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