"Improved" Secret To Tackle Winterbottom
- Thursday, 25 November 2010 05:15
Exciting sprinter Waratah's Secret has improved in "leaps and bounds" to earn a second crack at the Group Two Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot.
The four-year-old last year finished five lengths sixth to Ortensia in the 1200m Winterbottom but trainer David Harrison said the speedster was now more seasoned and ready for the $750,000 feature again on Saturday.
Harrison said the Winterbottom was a race he hoped Waratah's Secret could win and so far the signs were positive.
"He's got a good barrier (one) so hopefully the luck will continue," Harrison said.
"A race like this, worth good money, you always have in the back of your mind and hopefully he is good enough.
"He has been good to us so far and has come along in leaps and bounds."
Waratah's Secret has an imposing record of seven wins and four seconds from only 12 starts.
The only time he finished out of a place was in last year's Winterbottom which he contested as favourite on the strength of an unbeaten record of six starts for six wins, including the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m).
Waratah's Secret won his first three starts this campaign, including the Group Three Prince Of Wales (1200m) by nearly two lengths from veteran Idyllic Prince, before another Winterbottom rival, Ma Ma Machine, beat him a long neck in the Group Three Colonel Reeves (1100m).
Harrison said that with an inside draw and easier run on Saturday Waratah's Secret gets his chance to turn the tables on Ma Ma Machine.
"The winner took the short cut last time and didn't spend a penny but he (Waratah's Secret) hit the line well and in two more strides wins it," Harrison said.
Waratah's Secret is a big, strong son of Oratorio from a Zabeel mare and is $5.50 second favourite with TAB Sportsbet.
Sydney five-year-old Whitefriars, a last-start Salinger Stakes winner at Flemington, is at $4.60 and the horse Harrison fears most.
"He looks pretty good," Harrison said.
Top West Australian jockey Paul Harvey continues his association with Waratah's Secret in the Winterbottom while Damien Oliver will ride Whitefriars.
