James Cummings and Godolphin have seen what a three-year-old filly can do when they line up in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap.
The Tony McEvoy-trained Sunlight defeated Godolphin galloper Osborne Bulls in the 1200m sprint down the Flemington straight in 2019.
This time around the shoe is on the other foot, with Cummings and Godolphin having the in-form three-year-old filly In Secret lining up in their colours.
“It’s a reliable formula to see a three-year-old filly with a lightweight in the race,” Cummings said.
“We had Osborne Bulls airborne, and he wasn’t able to reel in Sunlight a few years ago.
“So, we’ve been there before, and it would be good to see In Secret take full advantage of the weight pull she enjoys on the weekend, but she’s still got to knuckle down and fight hard for the win.”
Like Sunlight, In Secret won the top three-year-old sprint at Flemington during the spring, the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, and whereas Sunlight remained in Melbourne to start her autumn, In Secret has campaigned in Sydney.
In Secret resumed to claim the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick first-up before running third in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) on February 25.
In the spring, In Secret went into the Coolmore fourth-up.
She ran second first-up, won the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m), finished second in the Group 1 Golden Rose before claiming the Coolmore.
Cummings said the team has faith in in Secret to perform well on Saturday.
“We’ve got full faith in her ability to run right up to that performance she showed in the Coolmore against the colts,” Cummings said.
“She’s had the proper grounding, third-up into the Newmarket, and we are delighted with the way she’s freshened up since the Surround when a gallant third in the inferior going on the inside.
“I think we can trust that form. They are top fillies and the three-year-olds have already been competing beautifully against the older horses.”