Blinkers have Know Thyself focused in first race since July

Jockey Aaron Bullock has backed trainer Paul Messara’s decision to apply blinkers to Know Thyself to give the promising galloper an extra edge in Sunday’s $150,000 Evergreen Turf Hunter & North West Country Championships (1400m) at Tamworth.

Feedback from Know Thyself’s trackwork rider and Bullock’s comments after his trials led Messara to add the shades to ensure the four-year-old is focused for a race he’s been aimed squarely at for more than six months.

Bullock and Messara combined in 2023 to win the race with Akasawa but it’s clear the popular hoop has a higher opinion of the lightly raced Know Thyself.

“He’s a very good horse, you can see what he’s done,” Bullock said.

“I expect him to run top three, we’re just going to need a bit of luck from that draw.

“He’ll handle any conditions, that’s an asset he’s got. If these blinkers fire him up a bit he’ll give them a good shake.”

Know Thyself hasn’t raced since he ran third in the Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast in mid-July but he’s had three barrier trials to be ready for the 1400m fresh.

While he’s sure the blinkers will be a plus, Bullock said he’s otherwise seen nothing wrong with any of his hit-outs.

“I don’t feel he’s been as sharp for mine in his trials,” he said.