Short Puts Golden Sands Firmly On The ‘Agenda'

HIDDEN Agenda's performance in Thursday night's Middle Distance Challenge (600m) final at Albion Park will guide owner-trainer Tony Short with the dog's immediate future.

The son of Sulzanti and Fernvale Ruby goes into the finale off the red box having chased home Rich Link in the heats last week in 34.90.

FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

Short has always planned to step Hidden Agenda up to 600m racing but his performances over 520m have been so good he has delayed that move.

“I had to give him a go over 600 metres,” said Tony.

“He's got the red on Thursday night and even though I'd prefer him off the eight, he has been beginning well lately and I expect him to be handy early.”

A sensational long slip from in front of the boxes at Capalaba on Monday has Hidden Agenda primed for the final.

“He sizzled,” said Tony. “It topped him right off for the final.”

Hidden Agenda's performance will decide if the dog heads on to the $113,000 Group 2 Golden Sands (600m) on December 28.

Albion Park Thur Sept 1 2022
Publicans Cup Ht 1. 520m
1st – Box 6 Hidden Agenda – Tony Short
2nd – Box 7 Adulate – Tony Zammit
30.06 (5.53 – 11.54 – 12.99) 3/4 x 1 1/4
Nightmare Moon – 30.20 (3rd) pic.twitter.com/UduWoS8SJD

— John Brasch (@Bunny_Brasch) September 1, 2022

The final of that race will be run on January 5, the same night as the Queensland Derby and Futurity finals.

“He's been a wonderful dog to us,” said Short.

Hidden Agenda has started 25 times for 11 wins and seven placings earning $62,000.

He has won the Publicans Cup at Albion Park and been a finalist in the recent Group 3 Rising Stars behind Hara's Skye.

“The only fault in the dog is that he barks a lot,” said Tony.

“But, I can put up with that.”

Tony rates Tony Zammit's Rich Link the one to beat in Thursday night's final.

Rich Link (Good Odds Harada-Book Of Luck) has been in rich form since joining the Zammit kennel and has won four of his past five starts three of them over 600m.