Youngster a Cup campaigner in the making

PREDICTED to have little difficulty making a smooth transition through the grades next season, Arden Messi is being touted as a cup contender by trainer Kevin Pizzuto.

Pizzuto made the declaration following Arden Messi’s success at Club Menangle yesterday.

Although the three-year-old was triumphant over a mile, Pizzuto stated Arden Messi will be better suited to races over a longer distance.

Pizzuto knows what it takes to be a cup class pacer having prepared Tiger Tara to win such prestigious events as the Victoria and A G Hunter Cups.

“He showed he can run a quick mile, but that’s not his go,” Pizzuto said. “He’s more of a stayer and is better over more ground.

“He’s a cup horse in the making and will enjoy the extra trip in those kind of races.”

Driven by Joshua Gallagher during his latest victory, Arden Messi was caught wide from barrier seven before being settled outside the leader, Bo Yang.

Forging his way to the front at the top of the home straight, the son of Bettors Delight completed a tough 10-and-a-half metre win from Bo Yang.

Hurricane Stride was seven metres away third in 1:53.1.

“That was a pretty nice run from him,” Pizzuto said. “He’s done all the work and still ran away from them up the straight.”

As for Pizzuto’s former star, Tiger Tara has attracted a solid book of mares in his first commercial season at stud.

The Inter Dominion winner is standing at New South Wales-based breeding establishment Medowie Lodge for $3500.