A brilliant jump-out and some excellent trackwork has trainer Tony Gollan convinced Secret Saga is ready to tackle The Championships in Sydney.
Secret Saga will be having her second start at Doomben on Saturday in the Sky Racing Handicap.
At her debut on January 31, Secret Saga led all the way with a brilliant burst of speed to win by 4-1/2 lengths at Doomben in slick time.
However, Gollan is convinced the filly is much more than a speed machine.
“She won a jump-out last week in very good fashion,” Gollan said.
“They went very fast to the first corner and I had told Tegan (jockey Harrison) not to bustle her.
“She was able to sit off them and run over the top of them in fast time.
“If we have to ride her in behind on Saturday I won’t be worried.”
Gollan has Secret Saga entered for the $500,000 Percy Sykes Stakes at Randwick on April 11.
“I would be disappointed if she didn’t race well on Saturday. And it would be great to have a runner at one of The Championship meetings,” Gollan said.
Meanwhile, Gollan says Tornado Miss has to race well at Doomben to earn a shot at better winter races.
Tornado Miss is the top qualifier for the Girls On Track Final but has the minimum weight of 54kg.
She was stakes-placed last year’s Doomben Roses and was in front at the 250m before finishing midfield in the Queensland Oaks.
“I don’t think she is really a stayer although you saw how tough she can be in the winter last year,” Gollan said.
He said Tornado Miss was placed in a race she could win on Saturday.
“At the moment that is her standard and for all that she would have to win well to convince me to press on to stakes races in the winter.”
