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By Ray Hickson

The bar has been set on the lower side for consistent galloper Rematch as he kicks off what Paul Messara hopes will be a successful summer campaign at Armidale on Sunday.

After a Country Championships bid the six-year-old tackled the Orange Cup but pulled up with an issue which brought that preparation to an end.

“He just jarred up after that race and he’s had a nice long break,’’ Messara said.

Trainer Paul Messara

“He’ll run over the summer and we’ll see how he goes. He just hasn’t gone ahead any further than he was and he’ll knock around in those country cups races.”

He’ll return in the Watson McNamara & Watt Guyra Cup (1400m) under 62kg with Aaron Bullock taking the ride.

Messara, who co-trains with Leah Gavranich, said Rematch is well placed for his first-up assignment and while he has improvement in him he should run his usual honest race.

Rematch, a winner of five races from 18 starts, has had three trials in the lead up to his return and he did win first-up last preparation over a mile at Tamworth carrying 61.5kg.

“The extra trial has probably helped him. I think he should be competitive first-up,’’ he said.

“It’s about the right style of race for him at this stage.

“He’s taken quite a long time to get fit this preparation and I thought that’s about his level to come back in.”

Meanwhile, The Kosciuszko winner Clear Thinking is a likely starter in next week’s $1 million Newcastle Herald Hunter (1300m).

Messara said the mare missed the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes at Rosehill as she wasn’t 100 per cent but expects she’ll be heading to Newcastle.

“She had a minor setback earlier this week and we decided to wait until she’s perfect,’’ he said.

“She’s in good form and fingers crossed she stays healthy and we’re right for that race.”

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday's Armidale meeting