Plenty of noise for promising filly Whispered Secret
THE James Cummings-trained Whispered Secret has taken out the Fernhill Handicap on day two of The Championships under a confident ride from Jason Collett.
In a slowly-run race, the two-year-old filly was three-wide for a lot of the trip, but was not negatively impacted due to the additional ground covered, kicking away in the latter stages of the race to return +380 at WilliamHill.com.au.
Stable representative Nacim Dilmi said there are high hopes around for Whispered Secret similar to Prized Icon, the horse that took out the same race 12 months ago for the Cummings camp.
“(Whispered Secret) is another well-bred Gooree filly,” Dilmi beamed after the race.
“It’s very hard to do that with two-year-olds, with Prized Icon proving was very good last year.
“The one backed up and he ended up winning the Victoria Derby so another promising filly.”
Toga Picta ($2.70 at Sportsbet.com.au) came from the second half of the field to snatch second ahead of long-time leader All Too Huiyung, which battled on well from the front to claim third and return $4.40 at Crownbet.com.au.
Jockey Jason Collett said that while the horse loomed up three-wide prior to the turn, the speed of the race meant that the run was not too taxing.
“She tracked a wee bit wide early,” Collett said in the aftermath of the race.
“Eventually I got her to relax and just sent her slightly forward what was a pretty slow tempo.
“It worked out well.”
The 25-year-old said the team has plenty to work with going forward.
“She was very raw still, and she hit the front pretty early.
“I think it was (jockey Hugh Bowman) that pressured me just up the rise, I hadn’t really asked her and once she hit the front she had a good look around.
“She’s a lovely filly.”
The muddling pace seemed to suit Whispered Secret as the leaders never looked comfortable out in front.
Dilmi was full of praise for Collett’s ride in the first on the card, saying his cool head helped guide the two-year-old to victory.
“She’s always shown a lot of ability at home, compared to what she showed two starts ago at Newcastle, she was very green.
“Today Jason rode her just like we wanted to, got her wide at the right time.
“She was three-wide without cover and he didn’t panic and got the job done.”