Phillip Stokes chases sentimental success with debutant Bold Secret at Flemington

Bold Secret will be a sentimental winner for trainer Phillip Stokes if the two-year-old gelding can salute on debut at Flemington.

Trainer Phillip Stokes has a good opinion of Bold Secret. Picture: Getty Images

Bold Secret has the speed to provide Phillip Stokes a sentimental win on Saturday at Flemington.

Nancy Eleanor, grandam of the sharp two-year-old Brazen Beau gelding out of the unraced Private Nancy, delivered Stokes his first Group winner in 2003 with victory in the Adelaide Guineas.

“That was a long time ago,” eight-time Group 1-winner Stokes said.

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Nancy Eleanor had seven foals, five to race, including Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready.

Bold Secret, one of 10 juveniles entered in the 1000m 2YO Handicap on Saturday, has won his past three jumpouts including respective 800m and 1000m experiences at Pakenham.

Bold Secret looped the field from last to win the recent 1000m hitout by almost two lengths.

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Champion jockey Craig Williams identified the gelding from the jumpouts and secured the race ride.

“I like this horse a lot,” Stokes said.

“We rode him quiet in the trial the other day (and he) finished off nice.

“This will tell us where we’re at, we’ll try him down the straight.”

Bold Secret, the only unraced two-year-old in the field, has stern opposition including Flemington specialist Shining Smile, a three-time Listed winner.

Stokes also has Red Hot Nicc second-up in the 1200m Benchmark 84 on Saturday at Flemington.

Originally published as Phillip Stokes chases sentimental success with debutant Bold Secret at Flemington