Red letter day for leading syndicator BlueBlood Thoroughbred’s yesterday firstly in Sydney with taking out the Grp 2 Sweet Embrace with Golden Slipper bound SEABROOK.
A few hours later at Flemington there super Gr 1 winning mare Secret Agenda open up her new campaign with a good win in the Listed Bob Hoysted down the 1000m straight.
BlueBlood’s trainer Mick Price was glad he took advice from champion jockey Damien Oliver who rode Secret Agenda yesterday.
Price thanked Oliver after Secret Agenda finished too well for Tasmanian visitor I’m Wesley ($11 – $8) to score by a short head.
“I had an idea of running her first-up in the Newmarket and Damien said it can be a burial ground for them, especially a mare like her that requires a bit of TLC,” Price said.
“You can’t overdo it with her and he suggested we run in this race today. He’s one of the few jockeys I will listen to – he’s always got his calendar out for what suits him and what suits you.”
Secret Agenda was running for the first time since finishing fourth in the Group I Goodwood handicap in May and Price said the mare will run next at Group I level.
“This today will set her up perfectly for the William Reid Stakes in 13 days,” Price said.
“She’s been fit for a while and she’s obviously a very good mare.
“We’ll run in the William Reid then off to Sydney before she defends her Swettenham Stud title in May.”
Damien Oliver has ridden Secret Agenda in six of her seven wins and declared his fondness for the daughter of Not A Single Doubt.
“She’s a lovely mare, from a two-year-old through to now,” Oliver said.
“She’s always shown good ability and for her still to be showing the desire to win like she showed today is fantastic.
“I’ve got a lovely affinity with this mare – I know her so well and have had a lot of success on her.”
Crystal Dreamer ($4.60) led to halfway and stayed on for third, beaten one length.