Exciting Starcraft youngster Secret Hills made it two wins from two runs this preparation when he demolished his rivals in the Echuca Workers Club Hcp (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Secret Hills (2g Starcraft – Hill of Peace by Danehill) bounded clear in the straight to score by nearly four lengths from the favourite Upbeat (Strategic) and Graskop (Manton).

Winning jockey Craig Newitt rode against instructions to land the well-bred colt a winner.  Trainer Mick Price was adamant he didn’t want the Starcraft gelding to lead but Newitt made a judgment call which could not have worked out better.

“The plan was to take a sit but I knew that wasn’t the right option as soon as the field jumped,” Newitt said.  “I gave him a squeeze and he got a cheap lead.  He gave me a really good kick and savaged the line.”

Secret Hills was unplaced in a Blue Diamond Preview on Australia Day and resumed with a win at Bendigo on June 2.  “He is pretty good,” Newitt said.  “He jumps on the bunny and does everything right.  He relaxed and put them away pretty quickly.”

Secret Hills was bred by Melbourne Cup winning jockey Scott Seamer and is part-owned by Gurners Bloodstock manager Andrew Ramsden.  The former VRC chairman has also stopped the nation on the first Tuesday in November with Gurner’s Lane and Brew.

The youngster was a $40,000 purchase as a foal at the 2009 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.  His value increased to $130,000 the following year as part of the Three Bridges draft at the 2010 Inglis Melbourne Premier yearling sale. 

Secret Hills is one of four winners produced by the imported Danehill mare Hill of Peace.  The dam is a winning half sister to Curragh Cup winner Mzuki and French stakes winner Alliteration.

A Tale of the Cat – Hill of Peace yearling filly was sold for $14,000 at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.

Arrowfield sire Starcraft has enjoyed a high profile with his first crop colt Star Witness and, apart from Secret Hills, his second crop includes the classy winners Do You Think, Celebrity Girl, Foo Foo the Snoo, Startreusse and the stakes placed filly Hallowell Belle.