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.
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