Well bred mare Hidden Wonder continued her unbeaten run for a new trainer when she scored a gutsy win in the $251,975 Johnnie Walker Magic Millions Stayers Cup (1800m) at the Gold Coast today.

At her third start for Kris Lees, Hidden Wonder came home three parts of a length clear of La Zeel in a strong performance.

“It was a great, touch effort,” Lees said. “It looked like it was run at a pretty generous clip.”

“She fought off the other leader and it was a good strong win.”

For Lees the win was the third from just three starts with the daughter of Danzero and he continues to learn more about the mare with each start.

“I didn’t really know the mare. But she’s kept on surprising me when she goes to the races.”

“She’s only been with us for the three runs – so it’s very rewarding and I have to thank Joe for that.”

The mare is another successful syndication for the Melbourne based Prime Thoroughbreds operation run by Joe O’Neill.

O’Neill, who purchased Hidden Wonder for just $50,000 from the draft of Bellerive Stud at the 2006 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, was a happy man in the mounting yard.

“This is a big day and to win this race is phenomenal,” he said.

“She’s won two at Randwick. She’s won here and she’s won in Melbourne and Adelaide.”

“She’s won in four states now. She’s a very good mare.”

“There’s some lovely people in the horse and I think there will be some very excited people around.”

O’Neill said the mare’s connections were originally planning to send the mare to stud, but when arriving in New South Wales it was decided to give her another campaign with a new trainer.

“We were thinking about breeding from her but then we changed our mind.”

“She’s very tough and she comes from a very good family. I’ve bought two more Danzero fillies this year – and they will be advertised soon!”

She’s now won over $362,000 and being a black type performer she would be a valuable broodmare once her racing days are over.

Lees said he would look at giving the five-year-old an Autumn Carnival campaign in Sydney. She is likely to have a break between now and then.

“She’s had a big campaign. It’s hard to spell a mare when they are in form but there might be something at the carnival for her.”

“She might even come up for the Winter Carnival in Brisbane.”