RANDWICK, August 7, 2010 - Six-year-old mare Hidden Wonder may have saved herself from retirement when leading all the way to win the Carousel On Sale Now Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Hidden Wonder's trainer Kris Lees said the mare was a “candidate for the breeding barn” but he is confident the eighth win of her career should see her continue racing for another season.

“She's owned a group of 10 and they'd probably sell her anyway so hopefully they race her on,” he said. “She's paying her way and as she showed today she hasn't lost her zest for racing.”

Hidden Wonder rolled forward to assume her preferred role of pacemaker, and after being forced to do some early work, jockey Blake Spriggs was able to give the mare a breather in the middle stages.

In the straight, Hidden Wonder gave a good kick before fighting off a late challenge from Superior Instinct.

“It was a tough effort,” Lees said. “He got a soft time from the half mile to the 600 metres and that was the key.

“It was a smart, heady ride and she's a tough mare that really digs in when under pressure.”