JAMES Cummings is confident about the prospects of his star three-year-old filly In Secret being able to follow in the footsteps of Sunlight and complete the Coolmore Stakes and Newmarket Handicap double.
The brilliant Sunlight completed the rare double in 2019 after she won the Coolmore Stakes in 2018.
Four three-year-old fillies have won the Newmarket Handicap since 1999 which are Isca (1999), Miss Pennymoney (2000), Alinghi (2005) and Sunlight (2019).
Cummings also won the race with three-year-old colt Bivouac in 2020. His grandfather Bart Cummings was successful eight times in the Newmarket Handicap.
Cummings speaking on RSN said In Secret was ready to emulate her Coolmore Stakes win against the colts and geldings last spring.
“She’s had the proper grounding, third-up into the Newmarket, and we are delighted with the way she’s freshened up since the (G1) Surround (Stakes) when a gallant third in the inferior going on the inside,” Cummings said.
Cummings said he trusted that form against the fillies who defeated her in the Surround Stakes at her last start over 1400m at Randwick.
“The three-year-olds have already been competing beautifully against the older horses.”
“But it’s a reliable formula to see a three-year-old filly with a lightweight in the race.”
“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.”
“She’s still got to knuckle down and fight hard for the win.”
In Secret is a $4 favourite with TopSport to win the Newmarket Handicap.
Best value runner is Buenos Noches who finished second to her in the Coolmore Stakes and he is a $10 chance.
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