Secret Blend can build upon a strong first up showing when contesting the Ace Hygiene Benchmark 70 Handicap at Geelong.
The John Sadler-trained runner resumed at Ballarat on November 21 where he produced a closing second in a $50,000 event over 1100m.
Settled worse than midfield, the gelding was strong to the line out wide, one of the few horses to make genuine ground through the program.
The son of Kaphero returned a Timeform rating of 85 for the performance, equal to his master Timeform figure first achieved when placing over 1400m at Flemington last campaign.
Such a figure sees Secret Blend sitting highly in this line up on weight adjusted ratings.
Secret Blend will strip fitter second up off that Ballarat run and looks an excellent chance of going one better in the Ace Hygiene Benchmark 70 Handicap (1221m).
The longer sprint journey should assist and the gelding has won second up previously.
Jockey Thomas Sadler has options from barrier 5 with Secret Blend having long shown tractability, capable of posting a strong result whether ridded forward or patiently as was the case last start.
He shapes as being hard to hold out in this affair.
Ballinacash shapes as a main danger having produced four solid displays from as many starts this campaign.
The gelding fell just short of victory at Sale last start when prominent throughout and in the process, ran to a Timeform rating of 86.
The son of Commands probably doesn’t possess the same level of upside as Secret Blend being further into his preparation, that said, his consistency must be respected.
From an inside draw, apprentice Jack Martin should have the gelding prominent throughout and the application of Blinkers first time could potentially spark the four-year-old that extra bit.
The sixth event at Geelong is a deep one in terms of value chances.
Domino Vitale resumes after a winter preparation which produced a string of solid results.
While she will be better over slightly further, the mare has placed in two of her prior three first up outings and is a winner at the trip.
The engagement of Damien Oliver also commands respect.
Sterno was good in his stable debut for Heath Conners, winning an 1100m Benchmark 64 at Werribee first up.
The win yielded a new master Timeform rating of 80 for the son of Stratum who has to be a chance of building upon the showing with added fitness second up.
While the race does possess depth, Secret Blend still gets the nod.
