Trainer Mick Price’s sole agenda this Saturday is to have Secret Agenda go back-to-back in the $1 million UBET Classic (1200m) at Morphettville. After decisively winning the Group I event for fillies and mares — registered as the Robert Sangster Stakes — last year, and belying her $17 quote in the betting ring, Secret Agenda has been sparingly raced since.
Price was getting Secret Agenda ready for a spring campaign but had to pull up when she developed inflammation in a tendon sheath. Having run fourth to Vega Magic taking on the males in The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville last May, Secret Agenda wasn’t seen again under race conditions until March. She carried 60kg to win over 1000m at Flemington. A frenetic pace brought about her undoing in the William Reid Stakes won by Hellbent at Moonee Valley on March 23, before having a month between starts when tackling a smart field in the RN Irwin Stakes (1100m) won by Dainty Tess at Morphettville in a bunched finish.
Price will have her screwed right down with a slick gallop complemented by the most recent outing and the road trip back to Adelaide later in the week. The addition of blinkers will play a significant role. After reaching the front in the latter stages of the Irwin, Dominic Tourneur told Price Secret Agenda waited for those that challenged once in front, thinking her work was done perhaps. Blinkers will sharpen her focus.
Damien Oliver has ridden Secret Agenda in six of her seven wins and he is booked to partner her. Rain is forecast between Thursday and Saturday and exposure to a soft track would not disadvantage Secret Agenda, who has three wins and second from five soft track appearances.