Craig Williams has given Scissor Kick a glowing report ahead of his return to racing in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.

Williams is having his first race ride on the Paul Messara-trained galloper in Saturday’s Group One contest over 1400m.

But the jockey has ventured to country tracks in Victoria to partner the four-year-old in some important workouts in preparation for his return.

Williams last month gave Scissor Kick a jumpout at Balnarring where he also teamed with the horse’s exciting stablemate, two-year-old Weatherly.

Last week he rode the horse in an exhibition gallop at Pakenham to round off Scissor Kick’s preparation for Saturday’s race.

Between those gallops Scissor Kick finished second in a Cranbourne barrier trial under Stephen Baster.

“He looked really good in the trial and Stephen gave a good report after it,” Williams said.

“I was impressed with his work at Pakenham and I spoke to Paul (Messara) on Wednesday and he said he couldn’t be happier with the horse.

“He’s excited because it’s been a long, slow process bringing him back and he’s delighted with where he is at.

“And I’d echo that by the feeling he gave me last Thursday in his gallop.”

But Williams admits it won’t be an easy task for Scissor Kick to capture the Group One race first-up after a long lay-off.

Especially given the quality and depth of Saturday’s Futurity field which includes Boban, Turn Me Loose and first-up winner Suavito.

“This is one of the strongest races we’ll see through the autumn but it doesn’t bother me,” Williams said.

“I know Scissor Kick’s form and the only thing he is lacking is a race for at least nine months.

“If you weren’t looking at his form and just going by how he’s going, how the trainer is happy with him and how he felt for me, there’s nothing to be worried about.

“You just need some luck in running in a race of this quality.”

Scissor Kick hasn’t raced since the Doomben 10,000 in May when he finished down the track behind Boban.

During his spring three-year-old season he won the Group Three Up And Coming Stakes before finishing second to Hallowed Crown in the 2014 Golden Rose, relegating Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting To Win into third place.

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au