Having saddled impressive colts Jabali and Cornrow to second and third respectively in the 2014 edition of the featured race for two-year-olds, trainer Mick Price has revealed classy filly Secret Agenda will be kept for a racing return in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude F (1100m) at Caulfield on February 14th, just two weeks prior to the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).
Cornrow (inside) ran a gallant third for Mick Price in the 2014 edition of the Blue Diamond Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
A memorable first start winner at Moonee Valley in December, Secret Agenda jumped from the gates well in the CRT Whites Wires Plate (1000m) on the 12th and was led to the fore of the pack by champion jockey Damien Oliver; receiving an ideal run in transit and extending in the final straight to hit the line close to four lengths in the clear of closest rival Haybah.
Initially considering Monday’s Listed Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Sandown as a first point of call, Price told AAP he believes the timing of the event is slightly too soon for the daughter of Not A Single Doubt to figure competitively.
“Timing wise it was too close, and then I would have had to give her too much racing,” Price said.
“She’ll run in the Prelude. She is going well.”
Understandably pleased with her debut performance and the form and class displayed by Secret Agenda since her return to work, Price is confident the two-year-old is more than capable of a competitive effort in the 2015 Blue Diamond Stakes.
“I think she’ll run pretty well but you’ve got to see it on the day,” Price said.
“I’m not going to go saying `this is another Samaready’.
“But she’s spunky and fast and we’re entitled to be looking at her as a Blue Diamond possibility.
“She was strong at Moonee Valley, and she is going well.”
Leading online bookmaker Ladbrokes Australia is currently offering Secret Agenda as outright second-favourite for success in the 2015 Blue Diamond Stakes at a quote of $5.50.
Having taken out her racing debut by more than six lengths at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day, talented filly Fontiton remains outright favourite at odds of $4.60.
