News

Secret Admirer sprouts wings in the Flight

4th Oct 2010

Racenet - Clinton Payne - Saturday, 2 October 2010

The Grahame Begg-trained Secret Admirer has given apprentice Brenton Avdulla his first Group I win when they stormed home to claim the Coolmore Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

The daughter of Darley stallion Dubawi produced a blistering acceleration to come from the tail of the field and overhaul More Strawberries in the last few strides, with Parables close up in third.

“I was very confident all week,” Begg said. “This is a really good filly because she hits the line hard.

“I’ve got so much confidence in this horse because she is such a trier and she’s going to be a better horse in the autumn.”

Begg paid tribute to Avdulla, who less than 12-months ago arrived in Sydney with a 3kg claim.

“He rode her well, has ridden her the whole way through and it’s great to give him his first Group one winner,” he said.

Avdulla mounted praise on Secret Admirer, Begg and his master, another Randdwick trainer, that gave him a go after he left the Gai Waterhouse stable in December.

“I can’t believe it’s happened,” Avdulla said. “If it wasn’t for my boss Anthony [Cummings] and Grahame Begg, I doubt I’d be standing here today.

“There support has been phenomenal.”

More Strawberries's rider Nash Rawiller said he was shocked when he realised Secret Admirer was making a late charge and there was no way his mount could have repelled the challenge.

“It came very quickly,” he said. “My filly was outstanding, but you can’t take anything away from the winner.”

Begg said Secret Admirer would now go for a well-earned spell and return “bigger and better” for the autumn carnival, while More Strawberries's trainer Gai Waterhouse said her filly would also go for a break.

More Strawberries's stablemate Zutara is bound for Melbourne, as is Sasa, who was the luckless runner in the race, finishing fourth after failing to find clear galloping room for much of the straight.