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By John Schell

The successful training partnership of Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich will be well represented at Thursday’s Muswellbrook meeting where they have three strong chances in the final three races of the day.

Trainer Paul Messara (Pic: Bradley Photos)

Messara and Gavranich have enjoyed a steady stream of winners since teaming up, and Messara is confident the trend can continue at Muswellbrook.

“We’ve only got the three runners going around there, but they all look like they will be very hard to beat,” said Messara.

Last start winner Tapa Kick will be Messara and Gavranich’s first runner at Muswellbrook when the three-year-old lines up in the TAB Country Boosted BM66 Handicap (1500m).

“He won pretty well at Gosford last month when he resumed from a spell and that was over 1200m which I didn’t think would suit him the best,” Messara said.

“He came through that race in good shape and he steps up to the 1500m at Muswellbrook which looks ideal for him at this stage of his campaign.”

Ashley Morgan takes over the ride on Tapa Kick from Aaron Bullock, who was aboard at Gosford, with the gelding only having 55.5 kilograms to carry at Muswellbrook.

Bullock will link with Messara and Gavranich when the promising three-year-old Ferro Vero contests the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sales 9-16 January Class 1 Handicap (1280m).

Ferro Vero resumed from a spell with a narrow but impressive victory in maiden grade at Scone, before finishing ninth at Randwick in Highway grade.

“He showed plenty of ability in his first campaign and he’s come back pretty well,” said Messara.

“The win at Scone was good in maiden company, then he didn’t really have things pan out his way when we took him to Randwick. He looks suited in the Muswellbrook race.”

Image Of The Sun will round out the stable runners when the filly runs in the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Assoc. Maiden Plate (1500m) with Grant Buckley in the saddle.

“She’s only had one run and she exceeded expectations when finishing third over an unsuitable trip,” said Messara.

“The step up to 1500m will suit and I’d like to see her running home well from a midfield position.”

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday's Muswellbrook meeting