Secret Lady has come out of her Magic Millions Classic run so well Sydney trainer Gary Portelli has now turned his attention to a stakes race in Melbourne.
Portelli has nominated Secret Lady for Saturday’s Group Three Blue Diamond Preview for two-year-old fillies at Caulfield over 1000m and was buoyed by the way she worked in the anti-clockwise direction at Warwick Farm on Monday.
Last year’s Golden Slipper-winning trainer said the plan was to send Secret Lady to Melbourne for the Preview so long as she drew a suitable barrier when acceptances are taken on Wednesday.
Secret Lady finished fifth in the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast last Saturday week in her fourth start.
“The Blue Diamond Preview was there as an option if she came back from the Magic Millions in good order,” Portelli said.
“I thought it might be too much for most two-year-olds but this girl is such a good doer and she puts on weight easily and has a great recovery rate.
“She came back from the Gold Coast looking like she was ready to win.
“She one of those horses who carries a bit more condition than most and now she looks like she’s right.
“We thought we would nominate her and if she drew well enough we’ll run.”
He believes good barrier draws are crucial for two-year-olds, especially the first time around Caulfield.
Ben Melham, who has ridden Secret Lady in her past two starts and won last year’s Golden Slipper on the Portelli-trained She Will Reign, has been booked for the ride.
Portelli was impressed with how Secret Lady handled galloping the anti-clockwise direction.
“This morning was the first time she has worked that way of going, and it was a piece of cake,” he said.
Portelli said Secret Lady’s performance would determine whether she pressed on in the Blue Diamond series.
He also has the option of the Widden Stakes in Sydney on February 3 if Secret Lady does not run this week.
Saturday’s Caulfield meeting is highlighted by the two divisions of the Blue Diamond Previews.
Having had four starts, Secret Lady is the most experienced of the 17 nominations for the fillies Preview while the 14 entries for the colts and geldings Preview include stakes-winning colts Run Naan and Long Leaf.
