Jockey Brenton Avdulla is looking for top-class mare Secret Admirer to take another step towards her Group One autumn targets when she lines up in Saturday’s Listed Wiggle Stakes.
The Grahame Begg-trained mare will take on her own sex in the Wiggle (1400m) at Warwick Farm where she’ll carry 58kg under the set weights plus penalties conditions.
Winner of the Group One Flight Stakes and Group One Epsom Handicap over the famous Randwick mile, Secret Admirer is being aimed at adding to her big-race Randwick record in the Group One Doncaster (1600m) in April.
Secret Admirer resumed with a third in the Group Three Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill under topweight of 59.5kg and Avdulla believes the mare will improve again into Saturday’s race where she is the $2.50 favourite with TAB Sportsbet.
“She gets in well at the weights with only a four-kilogram spread,” Avdulla said.
“It’s 1400 metres second-up, she’ll improve off what she did the other day but she’s still got further improvement left. As long as she is hitting the line strongly we’ll be happy again.”
Secret Admirer is the highest rated of the 17 acceptors in the Wiggle Stakes.
Trainer John O’Shea has entered Steps In Time and Alberton Park.
Secret Admirer pleased Avdulla when she hit the line well behind No Evidence Needed and Neeson in the Southern Cross.
“I thought she ran super,” Avdulla said.
“I thought they went steady in front and she worked to the line and did a good job to get where she was at the finish, especially with the big weight. I couldn’t be happier with her.”
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