Open Secret making up ground on stablemate and Golden Slipper fancy Bel Merci with debut win at Randwick

John Thompson always thought Open Secret was a quality two-year-old filly but even he was surprised by the manner of her debut win at Randwick.

John Thompson filly Open Secret (red cap) denied the fast-finishing United States (purple) to win the two-year-old race at Randwick. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Trainer John Thompson isn’t prepared to rate impressive Royal Randwick debut winner Open Secret in Bel Merci’s league just yet – but the gap is closing.

Open Secret continues to surprise Thompson with her improvement and natural ability after her fighting debut in the Agency Real Estate Handicap (1000m) on Saturday.

Thompson also trains Bel Merci, arguably the best two-year-old filly to race this season.

She was a brilliant winner of the Gimcrack Stakes at her only start and is one of the favourites for the $5m Golden Slipper at Rosehill on March 22.

Open Secret actually defeated Bel Merci in a recent barrier trial and Thompson was asked to compare his two unbeaten fillies after Saturday’s race.

“They are different types of horses,’’ Thompson said.

“Bel Merci is so brilliant but Open Secret is a good filly, too.

“It’s hard to split them but I’d say Bel Merci is pretty special. It’s nice to have some nice horses and there are probably still another couple to come.’’

Open Secret holds on to win on the inside in a photo finish for @JTRacingRwik! 📸 pic.twitter.com/i5u2qWxpFQ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 25, 2025

Despite her barrier trial win, Open Secret was allowed to start at $11 but the filly led throughout and defied a wave of challengers to score by a short head from the fast-finishing favourite United States ($3.70) with Nordic Viking ($20) a long head away third.

There was only a half length separating the top five placegetters but the form out of this two-year-old race might be better than such a bunched finish might suggest.

“Open Secret’s a nice filly. From day one, she is just a quality horse,’’ Thompson said.

“Class takes you a long way and she has shown she’s got a bit. But no way did I think she would lead today, I thought they’d be too quick for her.

“But she’s just a natural talent, two-year-olds just go and do it.”

Top jockey Zac Lloyd said Open Secret did not show as much early speed in her recent barrier trial.

“I didn’t expect her to have that much early speed,’’ he said.

“But she is one of those horses that with every outing, I think she is going to improve a lot.

“With the experience of the trial, today she was much sharper and executed the race well.

“I thought she was a really nice filly but I wasn’t sure if today was going to be too soon for her.

“I would have liked her to have had another trial just to iron out the one percenters, but that’s why I ride them and John trains them.”

Zac Lloyd looks across anxiously as Open Secret holds on to win. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Thompson said he needed to start Open Secret as he wanted the filly to qualify for the $2m Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Royal Randwick in two weeks.

“Typically, we would trial them again but she is eligible for the Inglis race in two weeks’ time so we thought we’d come here today as a second barrier trial and hope to get a little bit of prizemoney,’’ Thompson said.

Thompson relied on some inside knowledge before purchasing Open Secret, a daughter of first season sire King’s Legacy, for $150,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale last year.

“We’ve got the half-sister at home, Hellaine, which goes well but is unsound. She is little and skinny whereas this filly is big and strong,’’ the trainer explained.

“When I looked at her at the sale, I’d swear to God I was looking at a colt.

“Plus, I can’t afford the I Am Invincibles and things so I’ve got to buy a type.

“Open Secret she was a good type and I knew a little bit about the family which obviously encouraged us to get her.”

Thompson confirmed Bel Merci is likely to begin her Golden Slipper preparation in the Group 2 $300,000 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on February 22 while he will also give Open Secret every chance to qualify for the world’s richest two-year-old race.

“It all depends on Open Secret,’’ Thompson said.

“We were just trying to get a bit of prizemoney today to get into the Millennium.

“She was out on her feet the last 100m but just held on. We thought they’d be too nippy for her and we were hoping to pick them up late. She is will keep improving.’’

Chris Waller was far from disappointed with the debut defeat, albeit narrowly, of the $1.75m yearling purchase, United States.

“He did everything right but 1000m is just a little bit short for him,’’ Waller said.

“He stepped half a step slow, got back and had to find clear running in the straight. When he did the race was over.’’

Originally published as Open Secret making up ground on stablemate and Golden Slipper fancy Bel Merci with debut win at Randwick