Trainer Mick Price is considering putting the blinkers on Secret Agenda in a bid to win back to back Group 1 $1m Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 5.
Trainer Mick Price is contemplating putting the blinkers on Secret Agenda, above. Photo by Jenny Barnes.
Secret Agenda led all of the way to win the Group 1 for the fillies and mares last year and in her final lead up run for this year’s contest the Not A Single Doubt mare sat just behind the pace before finishing third to Dainty Tess in last Saturday’s Group 3 $120,000 Hughes Limousines R N Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville.
Jockey Dom Tourneur told Price that Secret Agenda got to the leaders easily but then wouldn’t go on with it and Price will now work the mare in the in the blinkers before confirming that she will wear them on race day.
“He said she cruised up to them and was going to win, but when she hit the front she stopped and waited for them,” Price told the Herald Sun.
“Last year she led throughout to win the Sangster, so that’s a bit abnormal for her.
“I might try blinkers on her in track work and will consider running her in them.”
Price also admits that Secret Agenda wasn’t fully wound up for the R N Irwin Stakes and is aiming to have her peaking on Robert Sangster Stakes Day.
“She was 29 days between runs and she was a little underdone knowing she’s going to peak in the Sangster on Saturday week,’’ Price said.
“A tough run and then a trip to Adelaide and back will bring her right on.”
Secret Agenda’s sparring partner, the Morphettville trained Viddora, finished second in last year’s Robert Sangster Stakes and was third last Saturday in the R N Irwin Stakes and has been installed as the $4 favourite for the Robert Sangster Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au.
Irwin Stakes winner Dainty Tess is the second pick at $5.50 while Secret Agenda is marked as an $11 chance.
Early betting for the 2018 Robert Sangster Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4 Viddora, $5.50 Dainty Tess, $6 Quilista, Whispering Brook, $9 Catchy, Super Cash, $11 Secret Agenda, $12 Shoals, $15 Booker, $17 Snitty Kitty, $19 Missrock, $21 Formality, Fuhryk, Pedrena, $26 Ocean Embers, Savanna Amour, $34 or better the rest.
