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By Tony Megahey

Muswellbrook’s racing matriarch Jan Bowen thought Ollie’s Secret ($12 on TAB) promising enough to contest tougher races than Saturday’s TAB Highway at Rosehill Gardens where he has vital factors in his favour at big value.

After winning at Newcastle, the four-year-old Adelaide (Ire) protégé led when a close fourth at Canterbury Park and then accepted at Warwick Farm recently when his race was postponed in inclement weather.

Ollie's Secret and Aaron Bullock return following a Newcastle win. Image by Bradley Photographers

Jan, a grandmother and 30-year trainer as well as winning the 2011 Listed-Carrington Stakes winner and a Highway original, is upbeat as Ollie’s Secret has 57kg less a minimal claim for in-form Zac Lloyd in the $120,000 Class 3, 1400m support to another fabulous day of Group racing.

“He has makings of a really nice horse, turn of foot, the draw to put himself in the race, jumping in grade as a class 2 but the upside to run us a race,” Jan enthused.

“He ran well at Canterbury in a harder benchmark 72 and I thought he was a chance at Warwick Farm. When we missed a run there, this was a suitable alternative.”

Particularly since favoured form runners are drawn wide and unlikely to start.

Also, backmarkers conceding Ollie’s Secret a sizeable start, including favourite Take the Kitty ($2.40).

Last start impressive Highway winner Overlord ($18) for Gayna Williams has drawn barrier 17 and Keith Dryden’s dominant ACT winner, Missile Leader ($6.50) barrier 16.

“Doubtful from out there and the big weight,” offered Gayna.

Dryden a prolific Highway winner was similarly inclined: “We’ve been balloted out twice, so we were keen to come but out there?

"Will have to reassess. They don’t win out there in big fields.”

Also, Matthew Dunn’s race favourite Take the Kitty has been unlucky in successive Highways but invariably gets back in the field, so needs all the luck.

Ollie’s Secret who led till the late stages in a tougher Canterbury BM 72, off a Newcastle Class 1 win, is likely lead again. Or close enough to it.

“We’ll use his gate speed from the good draw, he won at Newcastle at 1500m, placed at 1600m so he’ll be solid at 1400m.

“And Zac is riding winners,” added Jan whose numerous city winners over many years include the Carrington Stakes with Jest Crewsin’. Her previous Highway winner was early in 2021 with Casino Kid.

View final fields with full form & race replays for Rosehill Gardens here