Hidden Kisses Suprises Heathcote

Leading trainer Rob Heathcote will take the traditional path to next month's G1 Queensland Oaks with Hidden Kisses following the filly's surprise comeback victory in the Racing Retro Handicap at Doomben on Saturday. Heathcote admitted he was surprised with the daughter of Hidden Dragon's win when she stormed home to pip Wonderful Lass by a long head in the 1350-metre QTIS event.

Heathcote has always rated Hidden Kisses a filly well above average and took her to Sydney for the G1 Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick last year. Unfortunately, after winning twice in Brisbane, Hidden Kisses was found to be suffering from a virus after finishing ninth in the Sires' Produce won by Yosei. Heathcote never lost faith in Hidden Kisses' ability despite failing to regain her best form during the winter when she was soundly beaten in the Listed Hampden Stakes and Listed Doomben Slipper during the winter carnival. He then sent her to Melbourne for a spring campaign but was soon back on home soil after wet tracks brought about her downfall in two Listed races at Moonee Valley and Flemington. "I didn't expect her to win first-up and I told her owners via email that she might need the run," Heathcote said. "I've always known she's a good filly and the Hidden Dragon breed get better as they get older."

One of her owners, Richard Pegum was at Randwick as an owner of My Kingdom Of Life, an English stayer formerly owned by the Queen, which produced an upset win in the Doncaster Mile Prelude (1400m). Heathcote will give Hidden Kisses her next start in the Listed Princess Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday week before taking the traditional path to the Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm next month. "After her next run she'll start in the Gold Coast Bracelet and then The Roses at Doomben before the Oaks," he said.
Jockey Larry Cassidy has Hidden Kisses travelling well in the second half of the field and was always confident she could be in the finish. "She's had two barrier trials and both were a little funny," Cassidy said. "She ran last behind Shoot Out in one of the trials but she's a horse who likes to find her feet and she's better on top of the ground."

Racing Queensland Web News
Photo: Graham Potter