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By Ray Hickson

James Cummings says it would be a ‘scary’ prospect for the spring ahead if classy mare In Secret runs over her rivals in the Group 3 $1m Southern Cross Group Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer James Cummings (Pic: Bradley Photos)

The Godolphin head trainer, speaking on SEN, said he doesn’t expect the four-year-old to have the time to pick up the likes of Nature Strip and Eduardo over the short course but at the same time can see a scenario where she will have that chance.

It sets up an intriguing sprint contest as In Secret has never raced over 1000m but boasts a strong fresh record.

“You’d have to think they’re going to be far too quick for her over five furlongs,’’ Cummings said.

“But, nevertheless, charging to the line and running the type of race that you could picture setting up the rest of the prep would be fantastic.

“A win would be a bit scary, when you consider how much better she will be over six furlongs.”

Champion apprentice Zac Lloyd has been handed the opportunity to partner In Secret in the $1 million race and he put her through an easy workout between races at Rosehill last Saturday.

They didn’t run any time in the exhibition gallop, it was essentially a light stroll, but to Cummings it was a nice opportunity to let her stretch out on a good surface given her two barrier trials have been on soft tracks.

In Secret, $3.20 with TAB on Thursday, would hold top spot in Godolphin’s thinking for their TAB Everest slot, being a two-time Group 1 winner proven at the Randwick 1200m.

Cummings said what happens in the early stages of the Concorde will determine how close In Secret gets to the winner, if she isn’t it, on the line.

“Surely this race will be just too quick for her over 1000m but she is coming back well, she’ll be ready to run a race fresh,’’ Cummings said.

“If she can just find a way to tack on and get the first half right, and still be within striking distance of being a threat when she makes her run with 300m to go it will make things interesting.”

Dual Group 1 placed mare Zapateo plays the role of understudy for Godolphin in the Concorde, as a $10 chance, but Cummings isn’t ruling her out as a sneaky chance given she is proven at the 1000m.

The five-year-old started $6 when beaten six lengths by Eduardo in the Concorde last year.

“I could be wrong, but I think that horse could win that race,’’ he said.

“Here she finds herself in a 10 horse field, she can be in a prominent position early, she’s trialling like a sharp horse.

“If the race is too short for In Secret, if Nature Strip is not up to his best. I think the horse is going well, Zapateo in that race is one to watch.”

An Epsom Handicap start looms large for four-year-old Pericles who will be out to back up his first-up win in the Group 2 $300,000 AMD Medical Tramway Stakes (1400m).

Lloyd will also partner the gelding and Cummings was encouraged by the depth of the race Pericles won when returning at Rosehill a few weeks ago.

“It was important for Pericles to win a race to keep his confidence up,’’ he said.

In Secret's latest trial at Randwick on August 15

“Now he has the run under his belt he should be fitter than he was, he was a little pretty first-up and yet he was able to fend off not only Madame Pommery but the first five across the line were stakes winners. So the race had some depth to it.”

If Cummings is wary of anything it’s that Pericles, $6 with TAB on Thursday, won second-up last time in over 1800m.

“I like the horse coming to Randwick. Remaining at seven furlongs is interesting,’’ he said.

“If he can be as competitive as he’s threatening to be then he’s certainly a legitimate Epsom galloper.”

Pericles is on the $11 line for the $1.5m TAB Epsom (1600m), run on September 30, behind the Chris Waller trio of Fangirl, Kovalica and Osipenko at $8.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting