The fact that Messini is returning to the All Stars barn for a New Zealand Cup preparation is not really a surprise.
He has been there done that before with the Harness Jewels in June.
But he has a better chance than many of the nominees going on his best performances in this country -which have all been from the All Stars barn.
On Cup Day last year just after Bill and Jean Feiss sold a half-share in him to a syndicate which includes Trevor Casey , he smashed a record winning the Junior Free for All running 3.07.2 (mr 1.55.4) in the hands of Natalie, a stunning start to a great Cup day.
He then ran a respectable sixth in the NZ FFA before transferring to Brent Lilley's Melbourne stable.
After a short campaign in the four year old features in Auckland where his form was below par he celebrated being back at Rolleston with a withering win over Tiger Tara, Sky Magic and Dalton Bromac in the Christian Cullen FFA running 2.18.3 the last half in 54.8.
Mark was again at the helm in the Harness Jewels when a 14 marble saw him back and making a big run in the middle stages.
He couldn't quite foot it with Sky Major which came out of the one one when Mark attacked and lost second late to Te Kawau but it was a tough effort.
And if there is a drive going in the Cup for the stable Tim Williams is sure to put his hand up.
Tim won his first race for Mark and Natalie when he was given the drive on Messini in the Kindergarten Stakes at a time when Tim was based in Southland.
It all went good which is probably why Tim is where he is today.
David McCarthy
Reproduced with permission of All Star Racing Stables