MINERVINI’S STAR ON THE RISE

MARK Minervini wound back the clock many decades when he scored with a promising filly at Newcastle yesterday.

The Newcastle-based trainer, a South Australian expat, made it two wins in a row with lightly-raced filly Hidden Star, who took the Class 1 Handicap (1200m).

Minervini Racing races the Star Turn filly on lease with South Australia’s Crawford family.

“They were my first clients when I started training,” Minervini recalled today.

“Paul Crawford rang me after Hidden Star didn’t reach her reserve two years ago at the Magic Millions yearling sale in Adelaide.

“He asked if I was interested in leasing the filly with the family and training her.

“She is a three-quarter sister to the now retired Iknowastar (who won 10 races), and a half-sister to Covert Thinking, who has won three from nine starts.”

Ridden by Rory Hutchings, Hidden Star ($6.50) was too good for her rivals yesterday at only her fifth start, convincingly defeating $3.90 favorite Call Me Sassy and Emalyn ($6).

That followed her breakthrough, also at home, in a Provincial Maiden Handicap (1300m) on May 19.

However, Minervini feels she should be unbeaten from three starts this preparation.

“Hidden Star was beaten only a half-length when first-up over 1100m at Wyong on May 7,” he said.

“She had her run interrupted that day.

“It was only for a few strides, but her momentum was stopped.”

Apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald had ridden Hidden Star at both previous runs since resuming, but was riding at Royal Randwick yesterday – and Hutchings got the call-up.

“Rory gave her a lovely ride, and was impressed with the filly,” Minervini said.

“She is definitely heading in the right direction, and I’ll look at the programs to sort out a suitable race to attempt the hat-trick.”

Sadly, Hidden Star’s dam, the five-times winner Hidden Message, died in January this year.

. Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup went close to landing the $500,000 Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) with Hyperbolic at Eagle Farm yesterday.

The $19 chance finished a close third; her third consecutive placing at metropolitan meetings.

It was a different story at Wyong today when Widdup snared the first two races.

Well backed $2.70 favorite Vondel (Alysha Collett) snuck home narrowly in the Provincial Maiden Plate (1625m), and Flying Grey (Christian Reith) took the Class 1 Handicap over the same distance at $6.50.

The double with both homebreds took Widdup’s number of winners for the season to 63.

“Vondel (by Churchill) has really come good this time in work,” he said.

“She ran well first-up when narrowly beaten at Hawkesbury, and I feel she will get over further.

“Flying Grey (by Rosehill Guineas winner D’Argento) is out of the former good Hawkesbury mare Kellyville Flyer, who is a good producer (Widdup also trains older half-brother Ruby Flyer).

“She obviously likes Wyong as her two wins this time in have both been there.”

In respect to Hyperbolic, Widdup is unsure whether he will give her another start in Brisbane or a break.

“She is racing so well without any luck,” he said.

“I will bring her home and see how she does for a few days before making a decision on taking her back north.

“There’s the Listed Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) for fillies and mares at Eagle Farm in three weeks.

“Irrespective of whether we go back, I think this preparation will be the makings of the mare next season.”

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JUNE 7, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS