The $300,000 Group II ATC Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday looked like it would be an easy assignment for Golden Slipper winning filly Marhoona, but the race favourite came up short when fading for third to progressive colts Hidden Motive and Beadman.
Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle and his stable rider Ash Morgan have had a tough time of late with their star performer Private Harry heading to the spelling paddock after an aborted Everest campaign.
The pair gained sweet consolation when promising Capitalist colt Hidden Motive took advantage of gate one to enjoy a good run in transit before sticking on well to win by a long neck over the most unlucky Beadman with Marhoona in third place.
Fourth on debut in the Group III ATC Breeders Plate last year, Hidden Motive has always shown above average talent and had two previous wins coming into today with a last start fifth to Marhoona in the Listed ATC Heritage Stakes indicating he was on the improve.
Now a Group winning colt with a big pedigree, Hidden Motive provided the right tonic for his connections.
"It has been a tough week, but you've just got to roll the punches and, like I said, it's a rollercoaster. You've just got to hold on and ride it out,” said Nathan Doyle.
“Tomorrow's a new day, and that horse was very good today; it was a brilliant ride by Ash. He rated him well in front; he gave a good kick on the corner. There were a few unlucky runners in behind, but they pay on the post, and he's a Group 2 winner now."
A $120,000 Magic Millions purchase from Cressfield for Doyle Racing/Kurrinda Bloodstock, Hidden Motive has the overall record of three wins and three placings from eight starts with prizemoney just shy of $350,000.
"He's by Group I winner, out of Group I winner, so he's got the pedigree and hopefully, he can go on with that,” Doyle added.
“He's got good tactical speed, which I think will help him go a long way. He's better off putting himself up to speed and taking bad luck out of the equation.
"He's a quality horse; he always looks a bit big in the mountain yard. I think he just takes a bit of racing to sort of come to hand and sort of prove that today third up.
"He has a great group of owners supporting us all the way, so we are very happy."
Bred and sold by Cressfield, he is the best of three winners from four foals to race from Group I SAJC Rober Sangster Stakes winner Secret Agenda, who sadly died in December last year.
Her last foal is a yearling filly by Zoustar.
Hidden Motive is the 27th stakes-winner for Capitalist, who stands at Newgate at a fee of $44,000.
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