Mark Minervini wound back the clock many decades when he scored with a promising filly at Newcastle yesterday.
The Newcastle-based trainer, a South Australian expat, made it two wins in a row with lightly-raced filly Hidden Star, who took the Class 1 Handicap (1200m).
Minervini Racing races the Star Turn filly on lease with South Australia’s Crawford family.
“They were my first clients when I started training,” Minervini recalled today.
“Paul Crawford rang me after Hidden Star didn’t reach her reserve two years ago at the Magic Millions yearling sale in Adelaide.
“He asked if I was interested in leasing the filly with the family and training her.
“She is a three-quarter sister to the now retired Iknowastar (who won 10 races), and a half-sister to Covert Thinking, who has won three from nine starts.”
Ridden by Rory Hutchings, Hidden Star ($6.50) was too good for her rivals yesterday at only her fifth start, convincingly defeating $3.90 favorite Call Me Sassy and Emalyn ($6).
That followed her breakthrough, also at home, in a Provincial Maiden Handicap (1300m) on May 19
However, Minervini feels she should be unbeaten from three starts this preparation.
“Hidden Star was beaten only a half-length when first-up over 1100m at Wyong on May 7,” he said.
“She had her run interrupted that day.
“It was only for a few strides, but her momentum was stopped.”
Apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald had ridden Hidden Star at both previous runs since resuming, but was riding at Royal Randwick yesterday – and Hutchings got the call-up.
“Rory gave her a lovely ride, and was impressed with the filly,” Minervini said.
“She is definitely heading in the right direction, and I’ll look at the programs to sort out a suitable race to attempt the hat-trick.”
Sadly, Hidden Star’s dam, the five-times winner Hidden Message, died in January this year.
This was written by John Curtis and first appeared HERE
Photo: Bradley Photos