Paul Messara is hoping jockey Danny Nikolic's renowned patience will be the key to Alverta's Tattersall's Cup chances at Randwick.Adopting a jockeys for horses policy, Messara thinks Nikolic will help Alverta score a breakthrough middle distance win on Thursday.Nikolic is regarded as one of the "coldest" riders in racing and Messara believes his style will be a decisive factor in the Listed race."I believe in selecting a jockey to suit the individual needs of the horse and Danny fits the bill wi

Paul Messara is hoping jockey Danny Nikolic's renowned patience will be the key to Alverta's Tattersall's Cup chances at Randwick.

Adopting a jockeys for horses policy, Messara thinks Nikolic will help Alverta score a breakthrough middle distance win on Thursday.

Nikolic is regarded as one of the "coldest" riders in racing and Messara believes his style will be a decisive factor in the Listed race.

"I believe in selecting a jockey to suit the individual needs of the horse and Danny fits the bill with Alverta," Messara said.

"He has kind hands and he is patient and that will be a big help."

Alverta has been a victim of tempo-related racing in two starts since a stakes win in Brisbane last month.

She was ridden much closer to the leaders when midfield in the Canberra Cup and then settled last before finishing fifth in the Villiers Stakes.

"There was a hot speed in the Canberra Cup and as it turned out it was the wrong decision to ride her so close," Messara said.

"Then in the Villiers there wasn't any speed on so she was disadvantaged again."

The Canberra Cup was Alverta's first test at 2000 metres, the distance of the Tattersall's Club Cup.

"She's come through the Villiers very well and I'm keen to give her another chance at the distance," Messara said.

Nikolic has ridden Alverta once before but it has been almost two years since he has been on her back.

He will be the third jockey in the past three starts to ride the five-year-old as he takes over from Josh Parr.

"She's a funny horse because there hasn't been a jockey to win more than one race on her," Messara said.

With Glyn Schofield in the saddle, Alverta almost caused the shock of Sydney's EI-interrupted racing season when she resumed at Randwick 12 months ago.

She went within a nose of beating Takeover Target before being placed in the Villiers Stakes a fortnight later.

Alverta will carry 56.5kg in Thursday's race with the Peter Snowden-trained Spinney the 58kg topweight ahead of Zavite (57kg).