100th Winner for Matt

Success by family members at similar times is often seen, and was case in point when Secret Whisper (4 g Align - Danewhisper, by Danehill) won the New Zealand Bloodstock Weanling, Broodmare, and Mixed Bloodstock Sale [starting May 8] Benchmark 75 1600 metres on May 6 at Matamata.

His sister, Lasswade (Johar), has won two of her last three races including last Friday at Hastings, and Secret Whisper had been building to a win with close up performances for fourth and third at his prior two starts.

Already a winner on slow footing, there was some trepidation in trying heavy ground for the first time but Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman had the horse so well that nothing was going to stand in his way. Presenting in terrific order and combined with a lovely ride by Matt Cameron, Secret Whisper gave favourite backers few concerns when travelling like a winner throughout.

Settling eighth of nine in the early stages, Cameron let Secret Whisper travel up on the bridle to eyeball the leaders at the 600 metres. Angling wide around the home turn, he cruised to a three length advantage and had the race in safe keeping at the 300m to win easing down.

His recent form and home track record made him appear a good bet on paper and he duly obliged to return $3.30 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB.

“It was a test on the heavy,” said Bridgman, “but he's in a rich vein of form and it was a win that was richly deserved. He could have won either of his two autumn runs leading up to the race and his preparation had been interrupted with the abandonment last Wednesday at Te Aroha, and then being balloted on Saturday at Te Rapa. So, it's not been easy to keep him up to the mark because of that but he handled conditions well and it now gives us a lot more options with him going forward.

“Given his form, he is a horse capable of working through the grades”, said Bridgman.

It was also a significant win for Te Akau stable rider Matt Cameron as Secret Whisper became his 100th winner for the season - a great accomplishment with three more months of the season to play out.

"Matt is having a terrific season and for the second season in a row he has hit his century. I know how delighted he was to have achieved this milestone in the tangerine. He's an important member of our team, has a top work ethic and we love working with him. Noone rides out a finish like Matt," said David Ellis.

On course to share the spoils, Joan Jolley, part-owner in the Te Akau Secret Whisper Syndicate, continued her successful association with Te Akau horses. “That was a lovely ride by Matt and he made his move at the right time, didn't he? I've been in lots of horses with Te Akau: Tell a Tale (Tale of the Cat) was my favourite, Titan Prince (Volksraad), who had four wins in a row, and Sans Souci (Pins) who is now in foal to Darci Brahma”, Joan said.

Purchased for $40,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis at the 2010 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, from the draft of Phoenix Park, Secret Whisper has top sires Danehill (Danzig) and Mr Prospector (Raise a Native) on his dam-side, while his third dam, Sangue (Lyphard) was a triple Group One winner of 13 races up to 2200m in the U.S.A.