News

Well related filly makes it three on the trot

2nd Jun 2012

Racenet - Nic Ashman - Saturday, 2 June 2012

Secluded, the half-sister to Group I winner Melito, continues to justify her hefty price tag when the filly posted her third successive victory in Saturday’s Liverpool Catholic Club Handicap (1200m) at Warwick Farm.

Secluded was a $525,000 yearling purchase for Scone trainer Paul Messara. The daughter of Hussonet posted wins at the roomy Newcastle and Randwick tracks before Saturday’s race around the tight Warwick Farm circuit.

"I don’t think she handled the Warwick Farm bend there today but she showed her quality,” stable foreman Barry Wintle told TVN.

Wintle said winning jockey Chad Schofield "didn’t panic” when he found himself three-wide without cover during the first half of the race.

Schofield elected to keep the three-year-old in an even rhythm while the well-backed Jester’s Girl led the field from Lucymalyn.

A photo finish was required to separate Secluded, who lunged on the line to defeat Jester’s Girl, while Savannah Dancer came from last to finish third.

"She’s got a beautiful stride and closed late and thankfully, like a lot of the Hussonets, got her head down right on the line,” Wintle said.

"She’ll probably go to the paddock now.”

Messara is in England overseeing the preparation of Ortensia. The mare is on target for the Group I Kings Stand Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot on June 19.