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By Ray Hickson

A small setback after an impressive first-up win has co-trainer Paul Messara a little guarded about Solitario’s return from a five week break at Scone on Monday.

The promising three-year-old won the second race of the two-day Cup carnival on his home track on May 16 but a trackwork incident in the lead up to his planned next start left Messara with no choice but to ease up and give him time.

“He was due to run again but unfortunately in his last gallop he pulled a shoe and stood on a toe clip,’’ Messara said.

“That’s why it’s been a few weeks between, we just had to wait for that to clear up.”

Messara, who co-trains with Leah Gavranich, sees Solitario as a horse best suited to 1400m-1600m in time and it’s the drop in distance from his first-up win into the Muswellbrook Ford Handicap (1200m) that could make him vulnerable.

Solitario wins at Scone on May 16

He’s not had an official trial but Messara said a favourable draw will give the gelding, $2.25 with TAB on Sunday, his chance to perform to a high level in a race he has a lot of respect for.

“He’s drawn well and that’s very important at Scone from the 1200m to draw in, it’s a short run to the turn so that’s advantageous for us,’’ he said.

“He’s a nice, progressive horse. He might be a tad vulnerable over the 1200m, I think it’s a decent race for a country class 1. There are some nice horses in there.”

Pindorama steps out for the first time in the Upper Hunter Shire Council Plate (1300m) having pleased Messara in her recent trials.

It’s the filly’s second preparation, she trialled twice back in November but was sent out again to give her more time, and Messara said she’s a slow developer who is on the improve.

“She was in a fast heat at Wyong the other day and I thought trialled quite well but I thought she trialled well at Scone and she was in the slowest heat of the day,’’ he said.

“So it’s a bit hard to get a gauge on that.

“She hasn’t done anything wrong this time in and she’s an each-way chance.”

Meanwhile, two of the Messara stable’s higher profile horses have returned to work in the past week to prepare for a couple of $2 million races in the spring.

Talented mare Clear Thinking was scratched from a race at the Scone carnival to give her a bit more time and she’s being aimed at the $2 million The Kosciuszko (1200m) on TAB Everest Day.

And Country Championships and The Coast winner Know Thyself has his sights set on the $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) on November 8.

All the fields, form and replays for Monday's Scone meeting