While he may forever race in the shadow of his half-brother and $12.8m earner Private Eye, the Joe Pride trained Shalaa gelding King’s Secret stepped up to black type racing for the first time in his career, winning the Listed Canterbury Sprint (1200m) on New Year’s day.

If you love racing, there are few better ways to kick off a New Year than to be amidst a big and happy Ascot crowd on a summery Perth afternoon, watching the field go down to the start for The Cup!.