Grahame Begg took a good look at stable star Secret Admirer late last week and was convinced he had the mare ready to peak for the Group One Doncaster Mile.
Secret Admirer will attempt to become just the sixth horse to win the Epsom Handicap and Doncaster Mile in the same season on Saturday, and the first since Super Impose achieved the feat in 1990-91.
After a hectic few days at the yearling sales last week, Begg ran a close eye over his Doncaster hopeful last Friday.
“I took her out and gave her a pick, had a good look at her and thought to myself, `Well you don’t need to do a whole lot more with her’,” Begg said.
“Just one more sharp piece of work was going to be sufficient for her going into Saturday’s race.
“Even though she had a gallop last Saturday morning we didn’t really stretch her right out but then Tuesday morning was her main gallop and she worked lovely.”
Secret Admirer is on the second line of betting with TAB Sportsbet and Begg believes the mare has the right credentials to make her presence felt.
“We think that with the 54 kilos she’s in very well for a four-year-old mare and an Epsom Handicap winner,” Begg said.
With the way the autumn carnival schedule is, Begg opted not to program a race for Secret Admirer last Saturday which is the biggest difference for the mare heading into Saturday’s Group One Doncaster.
Secret Admirer has won the Epsom Handicap and also the Group One Flight Stakes over 1600m at Randwick on a seven-day back up.
“You’ve got to remember both times when she’s won the Group Ones she’s been off a seven-day back up and she doesn’t get that this time,” Begg said.
“But in saying that she’s fifth-up on Saturday and I feel she’s where I want her to be.”
Secret Admirer has been narrowly beaten in two Group Ones in the lead-up to the Doncaster, finishing a head second in the Coolmore Classic (1500m) and then a close third in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) two weeks ago.
Jockey Brenton Avdulla has won three times at Group One level during his career, with all three victories coming in 1600m races.
“I’ve been really happy with the way she has been going,” Avdulla said.
“We’ve only just been beaten in two Group Ones in her past two starts so hopefully we go there and it’s third time lucky on Saturday.”
