Secret Agenda returned to the races with a soft victory in the 2016 Ladbrokes Odds Boost Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon.
Secret Agenda was too good for her rivals in the 2016 Ladbrokes Odds Boost Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Secret Agenda was slow out of the gates, but Damien Oliver was still able to settle the talented filly in a lovely position in the early stages of the race before he took her three wide coming around the bend.
The daughter of Not A Single Doubt quickly put a gap on the rest of the Ladbrokes Odds Boost Stakes and she cruised to a very comfortable victory.
Oliver said after the race that he was always confident that Secret Agenda was in control of the Ladbrokes Odds Boost Stakes and he was most impressed with her performance.
“She loves getting the toe in the ground with a bit of give like there is today,” Oliver said.
“They didn’t go that hard, but she was travelling comfortably and gave a great kick on the turn.
“She wasn’t brilliant out of the gates, but I wasn’t too concerned because they weren’t going hard and I was just behind them.
“I had a little cover early and once they go into formation I was three deep, but in a nice controlling position.”
Trainer Mick Price revealed after the race that Secret Agenda had really grown into herself during her stint in the spelling paddock and he is confident that she will take plenty of benefit from her Ladbrokes Odds Boost Stakes.
The leading trainer does not have any particularly lofty goals for Secret Agenda this campaign and races like the Group 3 Cape Grim Beef Steaks (1200m) at Caulfield on October 8 are on the agenda for the four-year-old.
“She has become a bit of a mare,” Price said.
“You saw in the mounting yard that she still had her winter coat and it is good that she won, but she will definitely improve.
“The give in the ground is the key to her and she is a little bit more relaxed than she used to be.
“We just need to keep her in the right races.
“We will keep her in mares grade, she has fallen short when we have won her up in ground and we are not going to get too ambitious with her.
“With her rating she basically races in every black-type mares race over 1200 metres.
“We will just feel her way with her.”
Every Faith produced a career best performance to finish second, while Exclusive Lass rounded out the trifecta in third.
