In-form sprinting mare IN SECRET looks hard to beat second-up in the $1 million Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick Racecourse, Australia on Saturday.
With the race shaping up to be a key audition for The Everest, IN SECRET will need to win convincingly to stake her claim for the richest turf race in the world next month. The James Cummings-trained mare resumed racing two weeks ago in the Concorde and performed excellently despite her defeat behind Remarque, whom she will compete against again this Saturday. With fitness on her side and up in trip, all signs point to IN SECRET, and the market has her as the 2-1 favourite.
Among the other contenders in the field are potential The Everest participants: Lost and Running, Private Eye, Bella Nipotina, Hawaii Five Oh, Overpass, Buenos Noches, Ruthless Dame, and Mazu, who has already secured a slot. Other confirmed slot holders so far include Giga Kick, I Wish I Win, Think About It, and Sunshine in Paris.
Olentia the good oil
Boom mare OLENTIA should bounce back to her winning ways in the $250,000 Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) on the same day.
The five-time winner from eight had her colours lowered when chasing a fourth-straight win second-up in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes two weeks ago, but it was a run with excuses.
From barrier 8, the Chris Waller-trained talent raced wide and without cover in midfield, while the slow tempo of the race was also against her. She checked in fifth place, beaten 1.7 lengths.
Now, third-up, OLENTIA should be rock-hard fit, and with better luck in running, the market says she can atone.
