Joe Pride’s initial spring plan for King’s Secret was to avoid Sydney’s top sprinters, but the gelding’s two strong return runs have prompted a change of strategy.
The five-year-old produced a powerful finish from the back when fourth in the Concorde Stakes (1000m) and followed up with another impressive run, finishing a close third to Mazu and Joliestar in The Shorts (1100m).
These performances have earned King’s Secret a place in Saturday’s Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) field, and Pride feels the gelding is capable of competing strongly.
“The idea was to take him to Melbourne when I started the ‘prep’ thinking we might need to get out of Sydney because they’d be too good for him,” Pride explained.
“The two runs have given me a little bit of confidence they’re not too good for him, and he’s made a pretty big leap from where he was last preparation.
“After the two runs, you’d say he’s among that top group of sprinters now.”
The Sydney Stakes (1200m), run on the Everest undercard, is the likely target for King’s Secret after his run this weekend.
A half-brother to Pride’s established performer Private Eye, the gelding is a near-exact replica of his sibling, with one notable exception.
“Those little (Matryoshka) dolls that are exactly the same and fit inside one another – he’s like the littlest one and Private Eye is the biggest one,” Pride said.
“There’s about five sizes in between, but they’re identical.”
King’s Secret will be one of three Premiere Stakes contenders for the stable, alongside the resurgent Mazu and Weeping Woman.
Pride admits that Weeping Woman’s first-up run in the Sheraco Stakes (1200m) was disappointing. However, he is hopeful of a better showing if the track is wet, despite her $41 quote.
“I can only take out of the run that she didn’t like the firm track,” he stated.
“If it’s a bit of a wet track, she will be there and can bounce back.”
Godolphin mare Tempted is the commanding favourite for the Premiere Stakes at $1.55 and is the only runner in the field of 15 currently offered at single-figure odds.
King’s Secret and Mazu are both listed at $26.
With Tempted the clear favourite, explore the betting markets for the race at leading sports betting platforms.
