Messara has been training in partnership with Gavranich for the past 10 months and has one of the best strike rates in the country.
The pair is striking at 31 per cent this season with 39 wins from 126 starters in NSW.
Messara was super impressed with Know Thyself’s recent Highway win.
“It was a very good win in the Highway last start,” he said.
“They rolled along in front at a pretty good clip and he had to be ridden hard early to hold his position, so it was a very good win.
“He’ll certainly get the 1600-metre trip on Saturday as he’s quite a push button horse and can settle anywhere.”
Know Thyself was passed in as a yearling at the Sydney Easter sales for $220,000.
“We were in a partnership with an American group who we had foaled shared his mare,” Messara said.
“We had a $300,000 reserve on him, but when he was passed in we bought the American group out of the partnership.
“It was a joint venture with the Americans owning the mare while we put up the service fee and took care of the foal and split the result from the ring.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t sell but I thought he was an outstanding type and would bring a lot more money.
“Ladbrokes Racing Club came in after the sale and now part own him with Arrowfield.”
Know Thyself has already vindicated Messara’s decision to buy him back at the Sydney Easter sales after recently knocking back a huge offer from Hong Kong believed to be over $1 million.