Its Confidential is living up to her mum’s lofty standards

Speak No Evil’s (Well Said) racetrack career finished on the highest of highs, and after some early misfortune as a mother, we’re finally starting to witness her class as a broodmare.

The top pacer took her harness racing career record to 16 wins from 29 starts with victory in the Group 1 Queen Of The Pacific during October of 2020, but never started again due to a heart fibrillation issue that forced her into early retirement.

With Speak No Evil’s racing days in the rear vision mirror, prominent owners and breeders Bill and Anne Anderson sent the horse to stud but had little luck with her two foals by Captaintreacherous. The first, named Shes The Captain, was retired before ever racing and Texas Time died following a gelding operation.

“Amanda (Turnbull) trained Speak No Evil from here in Shepparton,” star reinsman Nathan Jack said. “She was a great mare. I loved her.

“The first foal was a big filly and went to Emma Stewart, but never raced. Texas Time was a really, really good horse. He got broken in and gaited up here.

“She’s a really unlucky broodmare because those two were really good.”

The next foal in line was sired by the Andersons’ top racehorse Poster Boy and has quickly stamped himself as an exciting horse for the future.

Trained by Jack’s father Russell, Its Confidential is unbeaten in three starts to date and raised eyebrows with his effort in a heat of the Nutrien Equine Classic series at Menangle on April 9. He galloped away from the mobile and settled at the back of the field before rounding up his rivals in the home straight to score in a photo over KerryAnn Morris-trained Hezatreacherous.

Jack concedes the task might be too difficult in tomorrow night’s $250,000 final for two-year-old colts and geldings, with Its Confidential to start from outside the back row in a race featuring hyped youngsters such as The Highlight Reel, Cigano and Fate Awaits.

“He’s going to need a lot of luck,” Jack said. “A few of the others didn’t draw that great either, which is going to help.

“I think he’s pretty good. I think next year when he puts it all together, he will be really good.

“He’s been a bit quirky to get going. He just got it all completely wrong in Sydney, but to still do what he did shows what fight he’s got.

“I think in 12 months’ time you’ll be seeing him go around in the derbies.”

by Tim O’Connor, for HRV