Former Kiwi filly Sworn to Secrecy had a little reminder of home with a victory in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1600m) at Randwick today.
Sworn to Secrecy ($7) found the heavy (10) track to her liking and she made good use of it, winning by two and a quarter lengths to another wet tracker in Skyerush ($8).
Shannara ($14) was a neck away in third.
Trainer John O’Shea was unsure how Sworn to Secrecy would go on a wet track, but he knew as they entered the straight the Keeper filly would handle the going.
He praised the ride of Brenton Avdulla, who did not panic despite the filly “pulling and reefing.”
“I was happy when he strode up at the top of the rise, I knew then she’d be hard to beat,” O’Shea said.
“It was a very good win, courtesy of a very good ride from a very promising rider.
O’Shea is likely to send her for a spell, and is now looking towards the spring with her.
“She’s now had a couple of stakes placings and a good Group win,” O’Shea said.
“I’m hoping it rains like this on Derby Day at Flemington again, the Myer Classic looks a perfect race for her.”
Stable clients of O’Shea purchased Sworn to Secrecy for $300 000 on the advice of New Zealand bloodstock agent Phil Cataldo.
The well backed Divorces was never a hope, with jockey Kerrin McEvoy saying she pulled too hard and was never a hope.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
