Secret Alliance set for maiden attempt at Morphettville Parks
The stable of Phillip Stokes is targeting a juvenile event at Morphettville Parks with the aim of securing a maiden victory for Secret Alliance.
This daughter of Microphone is set to contest the Sportsbet Feed Handicap, a 1000-metre race on Saturday, which will be her second career start.
Secret Alliance debuted at Bendigo on June 25, entering the race with considerable support but finishing fifth over 1100 metres in a two-year-old maiden.
Following her initial race, Stokes indicated the stable has a better grasp of the filly's potential and will instruct Harry Grace to adopt a more aggressive tactics.
"We probably should have been a bit more positive on her," Stokes said.
"She had shown us a bit at home. Her jump-outs had been good, and we went to Bendigo thinking we would see a good run."
"I think she's well placed over there on Saturday and it's important to try and get a city win on the board as a two-year-old."
Stokes suggested that while Secret Alliance's Saturday performance would inform future decisions, he was not yet considering elite races for the filly.
He expressed doubt that Secret Alliance would be competitive in a race like the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville on July 25 at this point in her career.
"I don't think the two-year-old's have as good a record anymore," Stokes commented.
"They used to when they would get 49 kilos over 1000 metres at Cheltenham, but the weight difference is a bit closer now, but she's a nice Microphone filly."
"We'll just try and place her right and pick off a few races."
Meanwhile, Grace is looking to continue his successful run in South Australia since his move to Adelaide in May. He has achieved eight winners, placing him in the top 20 of the South Australian Metro Jockey Premiership, and has accumulated 18 victories on South Australian tracks since May.
Secret Alliance faces the Sportsbet Feed Handicap this Saturday, where she'll look to land her first win. Explore the latest racing betting markets with leading online bookmakers.
More Racing News
Bustling's Melbourne Focus After Sydney Setbacks
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr training partnership has signalled an intention to steer clear of Sydney racing with Bustling, preferring to keep the gelding competing in Melbourne.Bustling is slated to compete in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes over 1100 metres at Caulfield this Saturday, marking his...
Imposant set for a winning farewell from racing
Trainer Kris Lees anticipates Imposant will retire from her racing career on a winning note at Royal Randwick this coming Saturday.Lees reported that Imposant is "going well" as she prepares for potentially her final race start in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap, a 1400-metre event."It seems like Imposant has been up...
Moon Sweeper to give apprentice Jett Newman a stylish Randwick farewell
Trainer Matt Dunn is hopeful that the talented Moon Sweeper can provide star apprentice Jett Newman with a memorable farewell winner in the TAB Highway Plate (1600m) at Royal Randwick this Saturday.Newman is set to transfer her indentures to the renowned stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, commencing her...
Third time lucky for Boniface in Randwick handicap
After two outings for new trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, former European galloper Boniface is primed to add to his win count.This is contingent on the gelding navigating what Kent Jnr described as a 'sticky draw' in the Precise Air Handicap (1800m) at Randwick this Saturday.Boniface achieved three...
Angels Fury returns to Caulfield after maiden success
High expectations accompanied Angels Fury when she made her initial appearance at Caulfield earlier this year.The Ciaron Maher-trained filly, sent off as the heavily supported $1.70 favourite following impressive jump-outs, faltered in the Blue Diamond Preview in January, finishing last.However, last month saw Angels Fury make a successful return in...
Sir Now eyes Monash Stakes as trainer looks east
A deficiency in suitable races within his home state has compelled trainer Darryl Hewitt from Murray Bridge to consider Caulfield for two of his horses.The reliable Sir Now is set to contest the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) this coming Saturday, while Snoopy Now is scheduled to carry...
Zoufame poised to boost sire Zoustar's standing
Bjorn Baker's emerging sprinter Zoufame could be instrumental in propelling super sire Zoustar to another stallion premiership if he can claim victory in the Cactus Imaging Handicap (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.Zoustar, a flagship stallion at Widden Stud, holds the title of the nation's reigning Champion Sire and has...
Portelli's affordable imports to shine at Randwick
Trainer Gary Portelli is placing his faith in two economical acquisitions from his dual Group 1-winning stallion Rebel Dane to make their mark at Royal Randwick this Saturday.Portelli's progressive three-year-old colt, So Rebellious, is set to contest the Midway Handicap (1600m), while the two-year-old gelding, Rebel Shield, is nominated for...
Blake Shinn's comeback continues with Flemington jump-outs appearance
Jockey Blake Shinn is set to reach a significant milestone in his recovery journey as he prepares to ride at the Flemington jump-outs on Friday.The Lindsay Park team, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, has booked Shinn to ride War Machine on Friday, and he also has four other...
Cold Brew defying his quirks to rack up wins
Trainer Will Freedman conceded that Cold Brew frequently errs during his races but manages to secure victories despite his tendencies."I don't know if the penny will ever drop with him, it certainly hasn't dropped yet,'' Freedman said. "But he obviously has good ability and he should be hard to beat...