Front running Victorian mare Secret Agenda is chasing back to back Morphettville Group 1 wins when she lines up in the $1m Darley Goodwood (1200m) on Saturday.
Secret Agenda, above, will be chasing back to back Morphettville G1 wins in the The Goodwood. Photo by Jenny Barnes.
Champion jockey Damien Oliver let Secret Agenda slide to the front from barrier sixteen in the Group 1 $1m Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 6 and the Mick Price trained mare was never headed to record a one and three quarter lengths win against the fillies and mares.
Secret Agenda, with Oliver in the saddle again, will be taking on all comers this week over the same course and distance as The Goodwood and Price believes last year’s winner and favourite Black Heart Bart is not across the line yet.
“It will be a field of 20 and is 1200 metres his best distance?” Price told AAP.
“Anyway it will be an interesting race and I’ve got two nice chances.”
Price will also saddle up Bassett who he said was unlucky last start when sixth to Karacatis in the Group 3 $175,000 D C McKay Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on May 6.
Bassett was sent out as the $3.80 favourite but Oliver was held up for a run at a crucial stage in the straight and the four year old did well to finish one length from the winner.
“I think he clearly should have won,” Price said.
“He was on heels for the last 100 metres and by then his momentum had gone.
“For him to finish within a length of them and have no luck tells you one part of the Goodwood might be even an even contest.”
Bassett had won his two previous starts for Beau Mertens at Listed level in the $120,000 Abell Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 17 and in the $120,000 Ladbrokes Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington on March 25.
Mark Zahra takes the ride on Bassettt in The Goodwood.
Early betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for The Goodwood has Secret Agenda marked at $13 while Bassett is listed as one of the outsiders of the field at $26.
Early market order for The Goodwood at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3 Black Heart Bart, $7 Vega Magic, $8 Malaguerra, $13 Hey Doc, Secret Agenda, $15 Illustrious Lad, $17 First Among Equals, Kaepernick, Zebulon, $21 Lucky Liberty, Viddora, $26 Bassett, Faatinah, Fuhryk, Malibu Style, Missrock, Rageese, Santa Ana Lane, Super Cash, Sweet Sherry, $34 or better the rest.
