The gelded son of Lonhro failed to handle the heavy track that day and team Hawkes were keen to avoid Sydney's big wet, taking him down to Melbourne for the first Group 1 of the season, Saturday's Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.
Winner of the Group II Ajax Stakes and Listed National Stakes, Messene boasts an interesting pedigree being by a grandson of Zabeel out of a mare whose dam is a half-sister to Zabeel.
The Cloros family homebred is the first foal of Belle Giselle, who was purchased from the 2003 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $140,000.
By Redoute's Choice from Mam'Selle Giselle, Belle Giselle raced just twice, falling at her first start before finishing fifth at Canterbury.
Her broodmare career got off to a bright start with Messene being her first foal.
Her dam Mam'Selle Giselle (Kenmare) was unraced but she is a sister to Australian Guineas winner Baryshnikov and a half-sister to another Australian Guineas winner in the hugely influential Zabeel.
A half-sister, Charming Life is the dam of the Group II Royal Ascot King Edward VII Stakes winner Kingfisher Mill (Riverman) and the Group III Newbury Stakes winner and Group I Coronation Cup second Wellbeing (Sadler's Wells).
Another half-sister Significant Moment is the dam of Group II winner and Group 1 Golden Slipper runner-up Crowned Glory (Danehill) herself the dam of Group III winners Needs Further (Encosta de Lago) and Hallowed Crown (Street Sense).
The dam of Mam'Selle Giselle, Lady Giselle is a half-sister to Valderna a half-sister to Group 1 winners Durtal and Detroit.
Durtal produced the 2-time Ascot Gold Cup hero Gildoran while Arc winner Detroit is the dam of another Arc winner, Carnegie.
