Last-to-first victory by Private Secretary
Private Secretary turned the tables on arch-rival I Am Zelady in the Magic Millions Fillies And Mares to set up a Group One mission in the autumn.
Trainer Greg Hickman is eyeing off the Coolmore Quality (1500m) at Rosehill in March for Private Secretary after she produced a whirlwind last-to-finish performance to score from I Am Zelady.
“She’s been a mare that’s been here, there and everywhere in the past 12 months and she really deserved that win,” Hickman said.
“Because of her racing pattern, she gets a long way back and needs a lot of luck but when the breaks go her way she can reel of an unbelievable finish like she did today.”
Hickman believes the Coolmore is an ideal target for Private Secretary.
“I’ve always felt she was a Group One horse and 1500 metres around Rosehill with the speed on up front would be absolutely ideal for her,” he said.
“But there are a heap of options for her and I’ll sit down with the owners and see where we head with her.”
Private Secretary caused a delay at the start when she had to be replated, but Hickman was unfazed.
“I actually thought that would be to our advantage because the other mares had to wait until the farrier finished his work while she was nice and relaxed,” he said.
“I was more worried when she was back last and wasn’t picking up as quickly as I thought she would, but once she got to the outside she finished over the top of them.”
Private Secretary ($5) scored by a half-head from I Am Zelady ($15), reversing the result from the same race last year.
Tim Clark, who rode I Am Zelady, was confident the mare would score back-to-back wins in the race when she hit the lead in the straight.
“I thought she had the race won but then the winner came a bit too quickly for us right on the line,” Clark said.
Larry Cassidy, rider of third placegetter Bidii Babe ($51), was delighted with the mare’s effort.
“I knew she’d be in the finish after she worked so well last Tuesday and to finish third in a race like this is a fantastic result,” Cassidy said.