Secret Agenda out of Blue Diamond Stakes

One time favourite Secret Agenda will miss the Group 1 $1m Sportingbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 28 after sustaining a leg injury at Caulfield on Saturday.

Fontiton, above, is now a clear cut favourite for the Blue Diamond Stakes after Secret Agenda sustained a leg injury and won't run in the $1m race for the two year olds. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Fontiton, above, is now a clear cut favourite for the Blue Diamond Stakes after Secret Agenda sustained a leg injury and won’t run in the $1m race for the two year olds. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Secret Agenda was sent out the $4.20 second favourite in the Group 2 $200,000 Sportingbet Blue Diamond Prelude (F) (1100m) at Caulfield but could only manage to beat three runners home in the fourteen horse field.

But trainer Mick Price reported that the Not A Single Doubt filly had sustained a fracture to the near-side lateral split bone during the running of the race and would be sent to the paddock to recuperate for three months.

“Unfortunately, she’s going to be out for three months,” Price told Racing Network.

Secret Agenda created a huge impression with her debut three and half lengths win over 1000m at Moonee Valley on December 12 and another good showing at Caulfield last Saturday would have seen her at the top of the market order for the Blue Diamond Stakes.

The undefeated Fontiton, trained by Robert Smerdon, is a now a clear cut $2.60 favourite with Ladbrokes.com.au after scoring a dominant win in the fillies Blue Diamond Prelude.

The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Pride Of Dubai is the second pick at $5.50 after making up many lengths in the straight in the colts and geldings Blue Diamond Prelude when a nose second to Of The Brave who is on the third line of betting at $7.

Colts and Geldings Prelude third placegetter Sampeah is next in the betting at $8 and will race in the blinkers when he lines up in the Blue Diamond Stakes in two weeks time.

Pride Of Dubai also indicated that the 1200m would suit him after making up many lengths in the straight and connections of the Street Cry colt have indicated that they will pay the $55,000 late entry fee to gain a start in the final field.

Damien Oliver has partnered Secret Agenda at her only two race starts and now that she out of contention the champion jockey is likely to stick with the Tony McEvoy trained Stoker whom he steered to victory in the $250,000 2yo Inglis Premier (1000m) at Sandown on February 7.

Stoker is marked as a $17 chance for the Blue Diamond Stakes.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.