DOOM MAR 13 - GENERAL SECRETARY SCORES IN CLINICAL FASHION

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Doomben, March 13, 2010.
Track - Slow 6. Rail - True.
NMW Handicap - 1200m. Time: 1-11.77. (Carrying 53kg).
1 General Secretary; 2 Samui Star; 3 What Happenedhenry.

Trainer Brett Baker landed his first Saturday Metropolitan winner when General Secretary saluted in the eighth race at Doomben on Saturday.

It was fitting that this success came courtesy of a fine effort from the four-year-old mare whose level of consistency has underlined Baker’s ability to turn his runners out rock hard and ready to perform.

Jumping from the inside gate, jockey Larry Cassidy ensured General Secretary took full advantage of his good barrier. She led briefly before Cassidy settled the mare in third spot behind Samui Star and What Happenedhenry, just two lengths off the lead, as he gave General Secretary the run of the race on the rail until the turn.

On straightening Cassidy switched out across the heels of the leaders and the mare then proceeded to produce a strong, measured run which took her past Samui Star and What Happenedhenry and on to a clear-cut 1.50 length victory which was clinical in its execution.

General Secretary was winning for the fifth time in thirteen starts. She also has four minor placings to her credit.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brett Baker: “Three year’s it’s taken. This is my first Saturday winner.

“She’s held her form during this campaign. She’s been up a long time and she just keeps trying.
There’s been no reason to turn her out.

“She is a great horse to look after. She does everything right. She eats everything ... never gets a temperature or a virus or anything. She’s just a hundred percent.

“I’ve been blessed by getting my hands on her. I came across her by accident. I went to buy a horse at the sales and ended up buying the horse that David Hayes left behind here. He didn’t want it and she’s done everything right for me ... so I’ve got no complaints.

“No, I’ve got no real plans. We’ll just go from week to week.”

Jockey Larry Cassidy: “From gate one, it just enabled me ... well I jumped and led early and then just possied up behind them.

“I was actually a bit concerned early because I travelled probably too good. I know the speed wasn’t that great, but I travelled very well within myself. I was just worried that might take the last finishing burst off her but, realistically, it was just a matter of sort of extracting her from the inside to give her a clear run and she found plenty.

“I think, for sure, there is more wins to come. There might even be a nice Mares race somewhere along the line. All honours to Brett (Baker). He’s done a great job with her.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (General Secretary): 2.40 out to 2.60.
The winner was the favourite.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Rattle 'N' Run jumped with its head in the air and shifted in making contact with Millers Wheel (S. Scriven). Teddy Bare (J. Holder) jumped away awkwardly and shifted out making contact with the hind-quarters of Samui Star (D. Browne).

Roy's Legacy (B. Stewart) blundered on jumping away. Shortly after the start What Happenedhenry (J. Byrne), which jumped awkwardly, shifted out taking Wollombi Road (T. Bell) out on to Roy's Legacy.

Stature (M. Speers) commenced to pull hard leaving the 900m and the horse continued to pull hard and had to be restrained off the heels of General Secretary (L. Cassidy) until after leaving the 600m.

Shortly after passing the 800m Teddy Bare, which was inclined to pull hard, shifted out forcing Millers Wheel three wide.

The track was downgraded to a Slow 6 following the running of Race 8, retrospective to that race.