Win 2 Timaru - Secret Amour Awesome

Dominant in the market, Te Akau pairing Secret Amour (5 m Niagara - My Secret, by Sakhee's Secret) and Fashion Shoot (4 m Savabeel - High Fashion, by O'Reilly) finished first and third, respectively, in the $12,000 Rating 74 1200 metres on 8 October at Timaru.

In the race sponsored by Equine Veterinary Services and Dunstan Feeds, they Te Akau pair settled well back while chasing a torrid pace but both ascended quickly in the straight, with Secret Amour sustaining a very strong run to win easily by two and a half lengths.

The two brought equally good form, after Secret Amour had produced a notable fresh-up effort for third to subsequent winner Maximus Prime (Echoes of Heaven) in the Rating 74 1200 metres on 6 September at Ashburton, and Fashion Shoot did everything right, running quick last 600m (33.9), when winning fresh-up in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 18 September at Riccarton.

The second of two wins on the programme for Richards, after Synchronize won the previous event, took his season count to 15 and equal first in the early premiership race. Last season, Richards established a new national record of 160 wins, surpassing the previous 143 set in 2017/18.

Enhancing her good record to four wins and three seconds from 10 starts, Secret Amour is owned by Scott Goodwin.

“She's a good mare, Secret Amour, consistent and never runs a bad race,” Richards said. “We had her pencilled in for Riccarton, but she had an ordinary blood reading and with things not quite one-hundred percent, we waited until Timaru, and it was a nice race for her.

“She only continue to improve and can now be set for the Coupland's Bakeries Mile Trial (Open, 1400m) on 23 October at Riccarton, and from there we'll either look to run in the Coupland's Mile or the Valachi Breeders' Stakes.

“We're very happy with her and will be trying to get some black type for her owner.”

Running the 1200 metres in 1:09.9 on footing upgraded to Good3, Secret Amour was ridden by apprentice Rohan Mudhoo and drifted in betting to return $4.50 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

Bought by Goodwin as a yearling on Gavelhouse.com, by successful sire Niagara (Encosta de Lago), Secret Amour is the first foal from a Sakhee's Secret mare that won two (1400m) of her five starts, in turn from impressive winning mare Keepolaria (Keeper), who won twice to 2000 metres.

Secret Amour carries bloodline crosses by the most influential thoroughbred stallions: Northern Dancer, Mr. Prospector, Danehill, and Danzig.

Secret Amour was strapped by Ashleigh Mitchell.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz