IT was only a lowly midweek two-year-old race but first starter
Rowie's win at Randwick's Kensington course yesterday meant as much to
trainer Paul Messara as any major race success.
An emotional Messara revealed after the race that the promising two-year-old was named in honour of his late friend, Andrew Rowe, who lost his life last year after suffering a heart attack.
"Andrew was only 35 and as a fit as a fiddle, no one could believe it," Messara said.
"He left behind four young kids -- it's still very sad to think about it and it does put everything into perspective. We worry about so many things in life but all that really matters is your health.
"This win means so much to me -- I think we had a little help from upstairs."
Rowie is part-owned by Andrew's father, Paul, along with Racing NSW chairman and Arrowfield Stud supremo John Messara and John Leaver. The striking chestnut colt had trialled impressively in the lead-up to his debut and didn't surprise the trainer with his powerful win.
"We've got a good opinion of this colt, he's going to make a very nice 'miler'," Messara revealed.
Rowie is superbly bred by Flying Spur out of Tazkara, one of the eight mares standing at Arrowfield Stud under a joint venture with the Aga Khan.
"This is the first of that group of Aga Khan mares to race here," the trainer added.
"Rowie was strong late in his race and will improve a lot with this experience. We will probably take him to Brisbane for the winter carnival and look at a race like the T.J. Smith Classic."
Messara revealed his top three-year-old Rekindled Alliance has come through his close second in the Tulloch Stakes in great order and will definitely take his place in the $1.5 million ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Rekindled Alliance looked set to win the Tulloch Stakes only to be over-powered late by Polish Knight but Messara has no doubts about his colt's ability to stay the Derby distance.
"We will ride him patiently and I'm certain he will run the 2400m right out," Messara said. "In the Tulloch Stakes, we had to make a long run and Polish Knight got a lovely trail behind us.
"Importantly, Rekindled Alliance has pulled up really well and I'm looking forward to the Derby on Saturday."
Messara's stable star Ortensia has arrived in England after winning the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at the World Cup meeting in Dubai late last month. Ortensia is being prepared for the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and Messara is now revising original plans to give the mare a lead-up run prior to the Ascot feature.
"She's arrived in England safely it's nice and chilly, only about nine degrees over there, but we have her rugged up," he said.
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