Pakenham trainer Phillip Stokes is set to unveil debutant Bold Secret in Saturday’s VRC Member Sarah Hart Trophy at Flemington, carrying the weight of family history.
The son of Brazen Beau has impressed in three jump-outs at Pakenham, his latest win coming on July 8.
He descends from Nancy Eleanor, who gave Stokes one of his first stakes wins in the Adelaide Guineas back in 2003.
Nancy Eleanor also produced Private Nancy—Bold Secret’s dam—and was the granddam of 2009 Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready.
“It’s a funny story,” Stokes said.
“The Boards, they were one of my first clients… Nancy Eleanor was one of my first ever stakes winners.”
Craig Williams takes the ride, while Joe Bowditch, who won on Nancy Eleanor, has helped with trackwork.
Bold Secret was nearly sold to Hong Kong but failed the vet check.
“I was filthy… but I like the horse a lot,” Stokes said.
Saturday’s field includes ten runners, with topweight Shining Smile to carry 62.5kg, offset by Logan Bates’ 3kg claim.
Last year’s edition was won by First Settler, who later claimed the Danehill Stakes.