Thompson taking long-term view with his 2025 Furious Stakes filly
While trainer John Thompson isn’t convinced Open Secret can match the raw speed of her Furious Stakes opposition, he sees Saturday’s Group 2 as a crucial building block towards the 1400m and mile legs of the Princess Series.
The three-year-old produced a strong late finish for fourth behind Savvy Hallie in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m), erasing memories of her lacklustre first-up effort when she failed to keep up after slipping out of the gates. “She actually slipped out of the gates and pulled a ‘hammie’… we had to give her a couple of weeks off and get her right but thankfully she came right in time,” Thompson said.
Thompson believes drier footing will be more to her liking, with Randwick’s soft 6 rating on Thursday and fine weather ahead. “She is looking like she is looking for 1400 or a mile, which is great for the next couple of races after Saturday,” he said.
Open Secret has drawn gate three with Alysha Collett again in the saddle. “I reckon they will be too sharp for her this week but looking towards those races, she is going super,” Thompson noted. “Alysha came and galloped her and said she had improved.”
A total of 16 fillies accepted for the Furious Stakes, though Ciaron Maher’s Angel Ladder is expected to be kept in Melbourne for the Atlantic Jewel Stakes.
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