A dual Group I winning juvenile by Redoute’s Choice, King’s Legacy posted his second winner at Randwick on Saturday with a debut victory for talented filly Open Secret, who scored a short half head win in a thriller over $1.75 million Snitzel colt United States.
Trained by John Thompson and ridden by Zac Lloyd, Open Secret was super professional working forward from an inside gate to lead and hold the fence which proved a winning move. She travelled well and gave a great kick, while United States was dawdling along back in the field and then finally consented to get going when it was too late.
So You Think colt Nordic Viking also ran a super race to finish a close third on debut and will be worth following as well.
Open Secret had just one trial leading into her debut which as John Thompson explained was by design.
“From day one she has shown she is a quality horse and when I looked at her at the sales I swear to God I thought I was looking at a colt,” Thompson said.
“She trialled well and typically we would trial them again, but with the Inglis race in two weeks time we decided to come here as her second trial and hopefully get some prizemoney and we got more than a bit.
“Class takes you a long way, but no way did I think she would lead today, I thought they would be too quick for her, but she has natural talent and two year-olds just go and do it.”
A $150,000 Inglis Classic purchase from Middlebrook Valley Lodge for John Thompson Racing / Boomer Bloodstock, Open Secret is the third winner from four foals to race from Vain Elaine, a metro winning High Chaparral (IRE) mare from the family of Group I winners Captain Moonlight and Richfield Lady.
Vain Elaine has no yearling for the sales this year and produced a colt last spring by In The Congo before going to Pride of Dubai.
Open Secret is the second winner for King’s Legacy, who also sired the first starter La Reine to finish second on debut at Morphettville in Adelaide.
Coolmore based King’s Legacy has 14 entries for Inglis Classic this year.
