Secret Armour Awesome

Backing up a terrific second, Secret Amour (4 m Niagara - My Secret, by Sakhee's Secret) won with some authority in the $10,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Fillies & Mares Maiden 1400 metres on 17 November at Rotorua.

Appearing a strong chance to break through after dashing home late for a nose margin defeat, running equal fastest last 600m (33.2) during the meeting on Melbourne Cup Day (3 Nov.) at Ellerslie, Secret Amour was heavily backed ($1.40) and delivered under a skilful ride by Opie Bosson.

Fresh from winning aboard stable-mates Kahma Lass (Darci Brahma) in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and Avonallo (Belardo) in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) on NZ Cup Day at Riccarton, Bosson utilized barrier two to secure a trailing position aboard Secret Amour and arrived with a well timed run in the straight and good bit of stretch. 

Winning by a neat length, Secret Amour ran the 1400 metres in 1.24.2 on Dead4 footing.

“She's a promising mare and that was a really good win,” said trainer Jamie Richards, who furthered his phenomenal strike rate with the rider, 3.4, and 3.9 on the course. 

“She was pretty unlucky not to win at Ellerslie, on Melbourne Cup Day, where she got back from an awkward draw and made good ground to just miss by a nose. She had trained on nicely. The team at the Main Stable had done a good job with her. She's a filly that enjoys being out in the paddock and we train her from out there. 

“She's going the right way and given a lovely ride by Opie (Bosson). He held his spot on the inside, made them do some work to cross him, and she finished off well to win with a fair bit of authority. 

“We had that race picked out and we'll take her back to Ellerslie on 5 December and get her ready for the 1500-metre final there on Boxing Day.”

Owned by Scott Goodwin, by successful sire Niagara (Encosta de Lago), she is the first foal from a Sakhee's Secret mare that won two (1400m) of her five starts, in turn from capable mare Keepolaria (Keeper) who won twice to 2000 metres. 

It continued a steady stream of winners for Oaks Stud stallion Niagara, and Secret Amour carries bloodline crosses by the most influential thoroughbred stallions: Northern Dancer, Mr. Prospector, Danehill, and Danzig.

With Goodwin overseas, it was brother-in-law Don Mackinnon, a knowledgeable racing man, that commented on his behalf.

“At the present time Scott's on an oil rig outside of Brazil, we're he's one of the bosses,” Mackinnon said. “He bought the horse as a yearling on Gavelhouse and he asked me who's the best trainer and I said, Jamie Richards. 

“So, that's how it came about. Scotty farms up the Wanganui River and has a couple of broodmares, which he breeds. 

“It's a good family to get up in distance and Jamie said to me the other day that he thinks she'll get over ground. He's been patient with her and the stable just keeps on winning. 

“Scott's wife and daughter, and the whole family, are really keen on racing and will have all let him know about the win. He'll catch up with it and be excited, but could be flat-out busy at the moment.

“I backed her at Ellerslie, and she was only beaten a lip. Another stride and she would have won, but that's racing.”

Secret Amour was strapped by Tracy Collis.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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