RHILL SEPT 19 - LUCKY SECRET DEFIES BIG WEIGHT

By HRO | Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Rosehill, September 19, 2009.
Track - Good 3. Rail - out 6m.
Starlight Stakes (Listed - Quality) - 1100m. Time: 1-03.30.
1 Lucky Secret; 2 Fist Of Fury; 3 Gold Trail.

Trainer Tony Vasil pulled the right rein in scratching Lucky Secret from Mooney Valley last week and bringing him to Sydney for this race.

Under the steadier of 60kg jockey Nash Rawiller had the six-year-old beautifully positioned one out and one back before asking for the supreme effort in the straight. Although never really looking comfortable at his first attempt the Sydney way of going (he did lay out in the straight) Lucky Secret’s sheer class and determination saw him score narrowly, but decisively, as he reeled in the front-running Gold Trail after a long chase down the straight.

Second placed Fist of Fury settled worse than midfield and lost his position approaching the turn before running on strongly late to finish right on the heels of the winner. His peak run should not be far away.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tony Vasil: Nash (Rawiller) gave him a great ride. First time going right handed it was our plan to hopefully have a horse outside him to give him a guide, but it turned out we were one out one back, but once he got in the straight he sort of wobbled off the track, but yeah he’s just too strong and with 60kgs huge effort.

He wouldn't know how not to try....he's one-hundred-and-ten percent. The new whip rules, there’s a lot of controversy about that, but if you've got to hit this bloke with the whip you know you are running on empty."

Jockey Nash Rawiller: "He's a very high quality horse, he's been a bit of a bridesmaid in a couple of big races, but today under the big weight he was very game. He just lifted unbelievably the last 50m. First time going this way it was a bit foreign to him and that was main concern, at the 100m he just got on the wrong leg and wanted to roll out, but thankfully late he switched back and hit the line very well."

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Lucky Secret (N Rawiller) was inclined to lay out under pressure in the straight and near the 100m. Mount Verde had to be steadied off the heels of that runner. N Rawiller was told he must make far more effort to keep his mounts straight.

When questioned regarding the performance of Bhutane Dane, C Munce stated that, although the gelding was taken wide when Fist Of Fury shifted off the fence approaching the 800m, nevertheless he felt the gelding's effort was disappointing, as it was a beaten horse on the home turn. Stable representative Ms T Rous stated that Bhutane Dane had worked particularly well leading into the race and the performance was most disappointing. Ms Rouse undertook to report the results of a full vet check and advise on the future race plans for Bhutane Dane. A post race veterinary examination of Bhutane Dane did not reveal any abnormalities.

Nash Rawiller