However, Paul has developed a state-of-the-art training centre, presenting an interesting comparison with Markdel, the Freedman operation, which is more of a working farm for 100 horses, including some from Arrowfield. The major tracks, tailored to Freedman's specifications, are grass and sand.

Paul Messara has gone into Viscoride, a testy substance that produces human headaches. But keeping with the Messara policy of doing it right, Paul insisted those responsible came back several times to get the mix just how he wanted it. Horses can break 32 seconds for 600 metres on Arrowfield's 2000m Viscoride circuit, which has a 700m straight. "They let down and stretch out better on it," John stressed.

The track receives the type of vigilance and patience which may not be available to a race club. The trotting or warm-up track is Viscoride but firmer, so any problems will be more noticeable. Arrowfield also has a 75m straight swimming pool plus an Equicizer and 50 large rubber-lined boxes.

Of course, the Arrowfield branch at Randwick is great for educational purposes, but a considerable downgrade in facilities.

(Nobody denies the Geoff Chapman $100,000 story but the Arrowfield training centre still carries the "Geoff Chapman wing", not because of his powers of persuasion, but for the horse sense he passed on to Paul).

John Messara's start with thoroughbreds came from a rare foundation. Educated in Alexandria, Egypt, with French his major language, John went to Riverview in Sydney and then the stockmarket. Horses came for tax reasons around 30 years ago. "It was either horses or nuts," wife Kris recalled. "As with everything John does, though, his research was meticulous …"

Even the exercise of recruiting super sire Hussonet. Hussonet, sire of Weekend Hussler, was discovered in Chile.

Still, and considering some of the others he's been involved with, including Flying Spur and Danzero and, of course, Danehill, Redoute's Choice is still his coup de grace.

Messara's research contributed to him seeking out Redoute's Choice but there was a good degree of instinct. "We were in Paris and John wanted to listen to Redoute's Choice race over the phone," Kris said. "Being 2am in the morning, I passed on the opportunity and he went to a friend's room. He came back and said, 'I'm going to buy that horse'."

Yes, Redoute's Choice was by Danehill and won five out of 10, but was hardly an overwhelming racehorse, in my opinion. Messara paid $10 million for a half-share and has been proven astute.

Possibly Redoute's Choice is still in full flight, but Messara commissioned a statue of the stallion which, on vintage grounds, I was asked to unveil on Monday. Amid the cackling of Sydney Turf Club director John Holloway, adding his 1960s Balmain Billiard Room polish to proceedings, the task was awkward. Under specific riding instructions from Messara to treat the silk cover like the Shroud of Turin, it didn't go as smoothly as DeGroot cutting the Harbour Bridge ribbon … more like the launching of a liner when the champagne bottle didn't break.

However, it didn't mask another magnificent contribution to the Australian turf by sculptor Tanya Bartlett. Bartlett captured the character of Tommy Smith standing at Randwick, the dignity of Percy Sykes, a work situated outside the Arrowfield office, and now the vitality of Redoute's Choice.

The Sykes touch at Arrowfield is seen in the quality and maintenance of the thoroughbred, the operation testimony to the Messara passion, and the bottom line to Redoute's Choice. AJC tightens the screws THE Australian Jockey Club has had some hard taskmasters in the past, including a major-general, but was never considered mean-spirited, a point arising now with the cost increases for training and stabling racehorses at Randwick and Warwick Farm.

"Minimum performance standards" are also being mentioned for trainers there, probably taking a line from a similar set-up in Hong Kong. After what happened to Chris Munce, though, HK shouldn't necessarily be used as a guide for anything. If this goes ahead, the same principle should be applied to AJC executives. No doubt, difficult and unpopular decisions must be made - but why does the AJC fall so short on communication and common sense, areas in which the Sydney Turf Club shines?

Subsidising the costs of training at Randwick has always been a financial bugbear for the AJC, but it has never resorted to padlocks.