John Thompson brought debutante Open Secret to Randwick hoping to bank enough prizemoney for an Inglis Millennium start and instead came away with a bonus win, the filly claiming the scalp of $1.75 million colt Unites States in the process.
Thompson typically likes to trial his two-year-olds twice, but with the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) just two weeks away, he sped up the timeline and was glad he did as Open Secret staved off all challengers in Saturday’s The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1000m).
“Typically, we would trial them again but she is eligible for the Inglis race in two weeks’ time so we thought we’d come here today as a second barrier trial and hope to get a little bit of prizemoney,” Thompson said.
“Class takes you a long way and from day one, she has shown she’s got a bit.
“No way I thought she would lead today. I thought they’d be too quick for her. It’s just natural talent, two-year-olds just go and do it.”
Open Secret ($11) found the front for Zac Lloyd and kicked strongly to deny the late bid of United States ($3.70 fav) by a short head with Nordic Viking ($20) also making late ground, another long head away.
The winner is by first season sire King’s Legacy and cost $150,000, Thompson identifying her on type but also having some knowledge of her family as he trains her half-sister, lightly raced mare Hellaine.
“When I looked at her at the sale, I’d swear to God I was looking at a colt,” Thompson said.
“I can’t afford I Am Invincibles and things, so I’ve got to buy on type and she was a good type. I knew a little bit about the family which obviously encouraged us to get her.”
Open Secret is the second handy filly Thompson has produced this season after Gimcrack Stakes winner Bel Merci, who the former defeated in a recent trial.
Bel Merci has continued to please Thompson since and is scheduled to kick of her Golden Slipper campaign in the Silver Slipper (1100m) on February 22.
Lloyd said Open Secret had made impressive improvement from her trial and did a terrific job to fight off the challengers.
“I wasn’t sure if today was going to be too soon for her,” Lloyd said.
“I would have liked her to have had another trial just to iron out the one per centers, but that’s why I ride them and John trains them.”
Chris Waller was upbeat about the effort of the United States, who settled worse than midfield and had to work his way out in the straight before launching late.
“He stepped half a step slow, got back and had to find clear running in the straight. When he did the race was over,” Waller said.
“He did everything right but 1000-metres is just a little bit short for him.”