She may have been a late starter but lightly raced mare Something Secret is making up for it with three wins and two thirds from her past five starts.

Her first metropolitan win over 1500m at Rosehill on Saturday has given trainer Jason Coyle and her owners hope she can measure up to stakes class next time out.

Raced by the Esplin family who experienced the thrill of a Group One win with Plucky Belle in the Coolmore Classic in the autumn, Something Secret ($14) held off Sweet Fire ($10) by a neck with Muy Bien ($26) another half head third.

"She had a lot of problems early on," Hamish Esplin said.

"Her mother died and then the filly went through a fence and suffered head injuries.

"So she's been behind and it's taken till now for her to show her true potential.

"We had thought of the Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle next week but it would probably be too much to back her up.

"A race like the Angst Stakes next month over a mile looks like it might suit."

Something Secret's Group Three-winning stablemate Slightly Sweet, also raced by the Esplins, made her spring return in a star-studded Sheraco Stakes (1200m).

Like Something Secret, Slightly Sweet ($20) was ridden by Kathy O'Hara and she came from last to finish a solid fourth behind grand mare Catkins who had 1-1/4 lengths over Echo Gal with Bounding another length third.

Coyle said Slightly Sweet would head to the Golden Pendant (1400m) in two weeks with the Group One Myer Classic (1600m) her aim.

"She will benefit from that and will be better when she steps up to 1400 metres," he said.