The Secret's Out

A winner at the corresponding meet last season, Secret Whisper (5 g Align - Danewhisper, by Danehill) resumed on a high note in the Challenge Matamata Benchmark 75 1400 metres on May 7 at Matamata.

Off a break of 131-days, and prepared to the minute by Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman, Secret Whisper was a pick up ride for Michael Coleman after stable apprentice Alex Forbes became unwell.

Having won his previous three races on yielding ground, and already victorious twice over 1400 metres, Secret Whisper struck slow conditions to suit and once again displayed his ability to act in a fresh state.

“He's a horse that can handle wet tracks and we didn't have much joy towards the end of his last preparation when the tracks dried out too fast in the spring,” said Bridgman.

“He started feeling the ground without picking one up but every horse gets their turn and today was his."

Michael Coleman said, “He (Secret Whisper) travelled sweetly in the ground. I stayed out wide and he stuck to his guns, did the job well and was quite an easy ride."

Although settling back in the field, Secret Whisper remained on an even keel for Coleman and travelled on a nice rein when ranging wide to fourth at the 400 metres. He quickened appreciably when asked to extend on straightening and continued to put in determinedly for a comprehensive one length victory.

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.

Secret Whisper is owned by the Te Akau Secret Whisper Syndicate, managed by David Ellis.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz