With only two runners accepted on Thursday, Home Affairs couldn't have asked for a better result, producing a perfect double through Hearts Affair at Kembla Grange followed by debut winner Covert Action at Cranbourne.
Never out of the top three in all five jump out performances, the Zac Spain ridden colt was one of five in the field of seven to start under 10/1 odds behind the Clayton Douglas trained short-priced favourite Majestic Son (Snitzel).
Fast away from the gates, Spain crossed to the lead from barrier six where he managed to control the field throughout.
Settling last on the rail after missing the start slightly was the race favourite, who was always going to find it difficult to make up the necessary ground to be in contention.
Leading by a half length margin, Covert Action was just ahead of the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained Bourdeto, while the Supido filly La Velocita was starting to come around the outside to make her run.
Straightening for home and it was clear Covert Action still had plenty to offer as he skipped two lengths clear.
Ridden out hands and heels to the line before being eased down late, Covert Action took out his debut performance by a length and a quarter from Mark Walker’s Koko while Majestic Son worked home along the inside to finish third, a further half length behind the runner up.
“I think he's Saturday grade for sure,” said Spain post-race. “And hopefully he can go to a Saturday race and just keep on improving because I like him.”
“I've always liked him and always had a lot of time for him. So, it's very rewarding for not just myself, but for the team.”
Purchased or $150,000 from the Inglis Easter yearling sale draft of Cressfield by Shane Nichols Racing, the Matthew Sandblom raced Covert Action is a half-brother to this season’s G2 Roman Consul Stakes winner Hidden Motive (Capitalist).
Covert Action is the fourth winner from five to the races out of the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes-winning Not A Single Doubt mare Secret Agenda, a sister to the stakes placed Stella Pauline and to the dam of G3 winner Enthaar, as well as being half-sister to the stakes performed Donandkim, Tutta La Vita and Sweetener (dam of G2 winner Jasmin Rouge).
Secret Agenda’s current yearling by Zoustar was secured by Andrew Williams Bloodstock at this year’s Inglis Easter yearling sale for $400,000 and has since headed to New Zealand in the ownership of Taylor Family Trust and Trelawney Thoroughbreds Ltd.
Unfortunately, Secret Agenda passed away in December 2024, just five weeks after being covered by Home Affairs.
Becoming the 19th first crop winner for Home Affairs, whose progeny are headed by four stakes winners including G1 Golden Slipper winner Guest House, the soon to be crowned Champion First Season Sire will stand at a fee of $176,000 (inc. GST) this season at Coolmore.
Read about the earlier win of Home Affairs filly Heart Affairs HERE.
