HIDDEN MOTIVE READY FOR A CRACK AT MELBOURNE’S GROUP 1 COOLMORE STAKES

ASH Morgan has given Hidden Motive’s connections a glowing endorsement of the colt leading up to his Melbourne debut at Flemington on Saturday.

Morgan will partner the talented Newcastle three-year-old in the $2m Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) for three-year-olds on the opening day of the four-day Melbourne Cup carnival.

Last start Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes winner Hidden Motive has settled in well since arriving in Melbourne earlier in the week, and got valuable experience of the Coolmore straight course in an 800m jumpout there last Friday.

Hidden Motive won the heat, defeating Brisbane filly Vein Girl and fellow Newcastle filly Cantiamo (trained by Kris Lees)).

He jumped well, shared the lead with Vein Girl and always looked in control, pulling clear over the closing stages.

Hidden Motive races in the Kurrinda Bloodstock colours for a syndicate of owners and managing part-owner, trainer Nathan Doyle, and impressed his rider.

“Ash said the colt had never felt better,” Kurrinda principal Sean Driver said today.

“Hidden Motive handled the straight track really well at his first attempt, and will have another gallop at Flemington on Tuesday morning.

“We are all looking forward to Saturday’s race.

“Hidden Motive already has sealed a stud career, courtesy of his Group 2 Roman Consul (1200m) victory at Rosehill Gardens on October 11 in brilliant time.

“And he has a Group 1 pedigree (being by Golden Slipper winner Capitalist from Adelaide’s 2017 Robert Sangster winner Secret Agenda, unfortunately now deceased).

“A win in the Coolmore or even a placing of course would boost his stud value even further.”

The Coolmore is acknowledged as a stallion-making race and, interestingly, the previous two runnings of the Roman Consul have proven an excellent Coolmore guide.

The 2023 Coolmore winner Ozmosis ran third to King’s Gambit in the Roman Consul, and Switzerland won both races last year.

In the latest TAB.com.au market, Hidden Motive is at $18 with Group 1 Golden Rose winner Beiwacht ($3), Tentyris ($3.50) and Beadman ($4.50), runner-up in the Roman Consul, the popular trio.

Driver also revealed there has already been interest from slot holders for Hidden Motive to contest the $3m Sunlight Plate (1100m) at the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast in January.

The Kurrinda-Doyle combination won this year’s Sunlight, run at the Sunshine Coast, with stable star Private Harry.

“It’s not surprising there have been enquiries re the Sunlight, but our immediate focus of course is on the Coolmore Stud Stakes,” Driver added.

Meanwhile, Private Harry is doing well in the early stages of his rehabilitation from an injury which forced him out of the $20m The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick just over a week ago.

“He is in a small area during the day and boxed at night at our property in the Hunter,” Driver said.

Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker was the sole provincial winner at his home track meeting yesterday.

Parker’s five-year-old gelding Tom Cruising ($21) took the Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m), posting his third success at his 26^th start.

Story John Curtis, October 26, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos