Starspangledbanner Juvenile Earns Ascot Aim With Listed Win

Secret Hideaway (2f Starspangledbanner – Ejaazah, by Acclamation) earned a possible entry for Royal Ascot after winning the Listed Marygate Stakes at York on Friday.

Runner-up on debut last month, Adrian Keatley’s representative was partnered by PJ McDonald on her second start and raced towards the back of a nine-horse field in the five-furlong contest. Making headway a furlong from home, she kept on well under her rider’s urgings to lead close home, beating the favourite by half a length.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer explained: “I ran Secret Hideaway at Ripon to educate her on the undulations over a sharp five furlongs. She'll have no bother staying six furlongs, maybe even seven in time. She will improve loads as the year goes on.

“I'll speak to the owners and Royal Ascot is the obvious place to go, either the Queen Mary or the Albany. She has a brilliant temperament, she's very laid back.”

The Starspangledbanner filly is owned by Mrs Paul Shanahan and was bred by Summerhill Bloodstock.