Connections and punters alike were left scratching their heads following KING’S SECRET’s moderate performance a fortnight prior. However, like all good horses he promptly bounced back at the same track and distance on Saturday.
It was his third successive run in a Benchmark 72 event over 1100m at Rosehill having won impressively a month ago before failing last start, finishing out of the money.
Trainer Joe Pride was convinced his defeat was an anomaly but he still had concerns about how the 3 year old would handle the good (4) surface.
“To win on top of the ground after scoring in heavy going two stars prior is a feather in his cap”, said Pride.
“Plus, he had to deal with 58kg and an awkward draw.”
King’s Secret too strong in the fifth at Rosehill! @PrideRacing @ProvenTbreds pic.twitter.com/SdmNr1iK8h
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 28, 2025
The SHALAA gelding showed some of the pluck his famous half brother PRIVATE EYE’s known for when gripping on gamely after a wide run.
“He was tough today,” proclaimed rider Andrew Adkins.
“When challenged late, he pinned his ears back and really had a crack.”
KING’S SECRET was a $100,000 Inglis Easter Yearling purchase from Goodwood Farm. His record now reads seven starts for three wins and three placings for prizemoney totalling $263,075.
The victory elevated Proven’s seasonal tally of winners to 55. And it could so easily have been a tri-state treble had THE BLACK CLOUD at Caulfield and BREAK FREE at Eagle Farm been able to reverse their narrow defeats.
