Hidden Agenda ready for Rising Stars Final

By Alex Nolan 

Trainer Tony Short will put December’s Sale Cup at the back of his thoughts, with a sole focus on winning next week’s Group 3 Rising Stars Final at Albion Park with Hidden Agenda.

The latest star to come from the Fernvale Flyer line sprouted wings late after finding some trouble early to score a thrilling win in heat four of the series at Albion Park on Thursday night.

After beginning on par with the leading division, the 24-month-old son of Sulzanti hit a flat spot approaching the winning post for the first time and was shuffled right back in the field.

But, after staying out of major trouble to find the fence, he powered home to be within striking distance at the turn and chased down a brave Perfect Tyrant in the shadows of the post to score in 30.03 seconds.

“When he got up to fourth down the back, I thought we were a chance,” Short admitted.

“He came out with them and hit that flat spot, but once he got through I thought ‘look out’."

Hidden Agenda has come up with box one in the $25,000-to-the-winner Final, which brings together a terrific group of talented greyhounds aged 30-months or less.

Recent Group 3 Townsville Cup place-getter Hara’s Skye (box five), the ultra-talented yet troublesome Black Comanche (box eight) and airborne youngster Boys Light Up (box six) rounded out the remaining heats.

Hara’s Skye was the fastest of the bunch, recording a winning time of 29.79 seconds, followed by Boys Light Up with 29.88 seconds and Black Comanche in 29.89 seconds.

Heat runners-up Tomahawk Hayze (box two), Disaster Piece (box three), Perfect Tyrant (box four) and Hara’s Pandora (box seven) round out the field, with Cash Destroyer and Adulate the first and second reserves.

Short would be the envy of most fellow trainers after drawing the inside, but he’s not so sure it’ll be the place to be for his charge.

“I’m a bit worried because if he goes back like he normally does he’ll be near last going around the first turn,” he said.

“But, he hugged the rail nicely and can do the same next week.”

Short gave a special mention to his heat’s runner-up Perfect Tyrant and Black Comanche, who has drawn ideally in box eight yet again.

“Black Comanche will be very hard to beat,” Short said.

“But, the one that came second in our heat has only had four races and looks pretty good too.

“I don’t think Hidden Agenda is right up there with the fastest, but he’s still a very young dog and a bit of a late bloomer, he’s got a bright future.”

There had been whispers this week that Hidden Agenda could be sent south for a tilt at the Sale Cup over 650 metres during the summer.

“For now I just want to concentrate on this race,” Short said.

As for the future, the trainer is keen to see Hidden Agenda develop into a 600 metre chaser, having run a bold second at his first attempt behind Springtime Gold on October 6.

“He will handle it because he comes home strong,” Short said.

“There are races that are suitable but I will look to keep him going over the 500 metres for now, long-term, he’ll definitely go to 600 metres.”