EF SEPT 19 - SECRETS UNTOLD EXTENDS WINNING SEQUENCE

By Graham Potter | Monday, September 21, 2009

Eagle Farm. September 19, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 6m.
Open Handicap - 1600m. Time: 1-35.27.
1 Secrets Untold; 2 Sneaky Long; 3 Kentish Rose.

The Phillip Cox trained Secrets Untold made it four wins in a row when he displayed that fine blend of ability and character to once again come up trumps in a driving finish.

Apprentice jockey Michael Hughes, deputising for the injured Michael Hellyer, positioned Secrets Untold on the rail just off the speed in the run to the turn. Sneaky Long was the target up front and Secrets Untold tracked that one on straightening as Kentish Rose challenged the leader and the favourite Future’s Dream loomed out wider on the track. The main fancy was the first to succumb to the pressure and he dropped away leaving a three-horse contest.

As Sneaky Long kicked on Kentish Rose stayed with him but failed to make any significant impression on the leader, which left Secrets Untold held in a pocket on the inside rail. The seven-year-old refused to be denied though and he shifted out and bullied his way in-between his rivals coming through the 200m, making contact with Kentish Rose as he went past the mare.

The last 150m came down to whether the faster finishing Secrets Untold would be able to snare Sneaky Long in time and again the gelding showed courage in putting in the big bounds when it mattered most to get the result and extend his remarkable winning sequence.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Phillip Cox: “Four-in-a-row. How good is that? What more can be said. He’s unreal isn’t he? I didn’t think he could do it today, but he did. The jockey doesn’t know the horse at all ... he did a great job.” (Michael Hughes picked up the ride after Michael Hellyer was injured earlier in the day). “He listened and did what I told him to do.

“We do very little with the horse in-between runs. He has only had one gallop last Tuesday morning since his last run. I’m going to give him a couple of weeks off now ... just a little freshen up. Yeah, I was surprised at his price. I thought he would have stayed on the $4.50 ... $5.00 mark like he has been, but I suppose every time they win in a row people don’t think they going to win again.”

Apprentice jockey Michael Hughes: “Yeah, first of all I hope Michael (Hellyer) is alright. That’s the way it goes. Pick-up rides often seem to come through.

“The horse has obviously been going good. He travelled all day and he seemed to be doing it easy. He just needed to get that run. The fence wasn’t that great. He had to hustle the other one (Kentish Rose) out of the way. Once he got his head there, he fought and ... it’s history.

“Yeah I do alright with my opportunities, but my weight is a bit of a problem. The winter is always tough for me. It is just a matter of trying to keep it down, but I like to eat, so it is a bit of a bad combination unfortunately.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Secrets Untold): 4.80 out to 7.00.
Favourite (Future’s Dream): 2.30 out to 2.40 in to 2.30.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 1400m, Snow Destiny (S. Seamer) commenced to over-race and had to be steadied from the heels of Secrets Untold (M. Hughes). Snow Destiny continued to over-race in the middle stages of the event.

Passing the 1000m, Future’s Dream (L. Cassidy), which was occupying an unorthodox position back and to the outside of the leader, shifted out slightly and made contact with Kentish Rose (S. Katsidis), which was endeavouring to take up a position one off the fence to his outside of the leader. S. Katsidis then applied pressure to Future’s Dream, resulting in Future’s Dream, being forced inwards behind the leader Sneaky Long. Stewards, after considering the evidence provided, issued a severe reprimand to both riders.

Leaving the 200m, Secrets Untold (M. Hughes), when endeavouring to obtain clear running, shifted out and made contact with Kentish Rose (S. Katsidis).