Rogers launches two-pronged attack on Miss Andretti Stakes

Leading Albany trainer Roy Rogers will launch a two-pronged attack on Saturday’s $100,000 Miss Andretti Stakes (1100m) at Ascot and on the same day has a number of runners entered across the eight-race card at Albany.

Smart sprinter Potent Secret will headline Rogers’ tilt at the listed Miss Andretti Stakes after his sensational win in the listed Summer Scorcher on New Year’s Eve.

The tough stallion sat off the speed and powered home to defeat Durendal over 1000m in the Scorcher, giving Rogers his biggest win as a trainer.

Potent Secret goes up 1.5kg from that win and will carry 56kg from barrier 10 on Saturday with Jerry Noske retaining the ride.

Rising grey galloper Candlelight Star will also contest the feature race on the 54kg minimum after being a last start winner at Ascot over 1200m on December 10.

French jockey Matthieu Autier will ride the six-year-old from barrier 13.

Rogers was confident heading into the listed feature with both his gallopers.

“I’m very happy with both, they are fit and fresh,” he said. “Jerry had the choice of rides and she didn’t hesitate in picking Potent.

“Potent has proven he can carry weight but I’m definitely leaning towards him. Candlelight Star is a horse that’s on the rise.”

Rogers has a small team entered at Percy Spencer Racecourse on the same day with Kronstadt, Ellens Choice, Kinjara, Money Trainer and Queen Tori all engaged.

The first race is set for 1.26pm with the last starting at 5.33pm.