3 minute read

Secret Admirer came back with a slashing second

Chris Scholtz

SECRET ADMIRER (Grahame Begg) - Quality mare made a great return after almost a year away from racing with her fast finishing second under difficult conditions at Warwick Farm last Saturday. Remember she won a Group One at only her fourth start and her classy return indicates she will be making up for lost time through the spring.

Jason Hickson

DECEMBER DRAW (Mark Kavanagh) - While beaten when heavily backed on Saturday, it was good sign he was up and running, looked healthy and tried hard at the Valley. He will need to win something you'd think to make the Cups (certainly that's the case for Caulfield) and as such racing on speed when others are half fit will benefit. No doubt he'll be better around a bigger circuit too.

ATLANTIC JEWEL (Mark Kavanagh) - Nice win on debut down at Geelong. Cramped for room at the top of the straight but forced through a gap and won with her ears pricked over 1100m. Sure to be improved for that effort and should appreciate getting out over more ground, she may prove capable of picking up a nice race during the spring.

Alex Steedman

SENSE OF PURPOSE (Dermot Weld) - Mare who may have the Melbourne Cup in her sights depending on how she performs in the G1 Irish St Leger at the Curragh on 10 Sept. The front running four year old claimed her first Group event last start when a determined winner of the Ballyroan Stakes (2414m) at Leopardstown defeating the smart Aidan O'Brien trained colt Marksmanship. The past two runs Sense Of Purpose has had match those of Profound Beauty before she ran fifth in the 2008 Melbourne Cup. Profound Beauty was maybe one run short heading toward the Cup hence an additional start this time for Sense Of Purpose in the Irish St Leger.

Dean Croker

SANGSTER (Trent Busuttin) - A former kiwi who had his first run as a 3yo at Warwick Farm on Tuesday. Found the heavy track little problem even though he only won by a short margin as he's bred to handle it. Looks like he definitely needs more ground as most of the Savabeel's are showing up over a mile and beyond. Can keep going forward.

Wayne Bristow

OUR MISS JONES (Michael Kent) - On a good day for Mick Kent, this filly showed good potential for the future in her right grade. In the Crockett over the 1200m, she got back to near last around the Valley on a day when it was impossible to run home out wide. Only those on the fence could make up any leeway. If they angle her for a midweek she should just win but can also compete well in a stakes race over more ground.

ICE PLANKER (Robert Smerdon) - Was a massive winner five length winner at Morphettville on Thursday as Smerdon snuck him across the border to get a metropolitan win on the register. Could possibly end up in Hong Kong but not beyond the pale that he could win a decent race in Melbourne in coming weeks.