John Thompson isn’t sure Open Secret has the speed to topple her Furious Stakes rivals but he sees the race as a perfect platform for the remaining Princess Series features.
The three-year-old ran a much improved race when closing late for fourth to Saturday’s rival Savvy Hallie in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) last month, the performance coming as a relief after an uncharacteristic effort on resumption behind Nashville Jack in July.
“She normally jumps well and that day she missed the kick and we were scratching our head because she couldn’t even keep up,” Thompson said of the first-up run.
“She actually slipped out of the gates and pulled a ‘hammie’ (hamstring) so we had to give her a couple of weeks off and get her right but thankfully she came right in time.”
The Silver Shadow Stakes was run on a heavy 10 track and Thompson has no doubt Open Secret is better on top of the ground.
Randwick was a soft 6 on Thursday and fine skies were predicted in Sydney for the remainder of the week, Thompson hoping they stayed around as the filly headed towards the remaining legs of the four-race Princess Series, the Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) and Flight Stakes (1600m).
Alysha Collett has partnered Open Secret in both campaign runs and remains aboard on Saturday from a beautiful draw in gate three.
“She is looking like she is looking for 1400 or a mile, which is great for the next couple of races after Saturday,” Thompson said.
“I reckon they will be too sharp for her this week but looking towards those (longer) races, she is going super.
“Alysha came and galloped her (on Saturday) morning and said she had improved.”
A field of 16 accepted for the Furious Stakes (1200m), although trainer Ciaron Maher indicated Angel Ladder would remain in Melbourne for the Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.