Racing: Paul Messara-trained duo on the money at Muswellbrook
FLYING: The Paul Messara-trained Elvezio and jockey Kacie Adams storm to victory in the last at Muswellbrook on Monday. Picture: Muswellbrook Race Club
Elvezio produced a stunning finish to win on debut under the care of Paul Messara and give the Scone trainer a double at Muswellbrook on Monday.
The four-year-old gelding, now with his fifth trainer, came from last on the turn to flash home down the outside and claim the class 1 handicap (1000 metres) by almost half a length.
It was a second victory in 10 starts for Elvezio, which is part-owned by the family of winning jockey Kacie Adams.
The flying finish also landed a plunge which led to Elvezio starting $9.50 after being more than $40 in early TAB markets.
"He's shown plenty of ability," Adams told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
"He had the ultimate gear change at the end of last prep, which is a gelding.
"Paul's done a brilliant job with him. They just really haven't missed a trick with the horse.
"He's had his issues, he always has had, but he's always had massive ability and it's really good to see a performance like that. It's just a great training performance really."
Earlier, Messara's only other runner at the meeting, Still In Fashion, broke through at his fourth start in the maiden plate (1450m).
The Redoute's Choice three-year-old gelding, which was placed at his first three starts, started the $3 favourite and wore down his rivals to win by a length under Thornton jockey Andrew Gibbons.
Another impressive breakthrough winner was the Kristen Buchanan-trained Oakfield Arrow, which claimed the 1280m maiden as the $1.75 favourite.
Third on debut on a heavy Gosford track, the Bruce Mackenzie-owned Press Statement filly was given a trouble-free run by Newcastle jockey Darryl McLellan en route to a one-length victory on the good surface.