The prospect of a first Caulfield Cup or Cox Plate has swayed Corey Brown to ride Secret Admirer instead of one of his favourite horses in Saturday’s George Main Stakes.
Brown had the choice between Secret Admirer and Rangirangdoo in the Group One weight-for-age contest at Randwick, and said it was a decision he didn’t make lightly.
“It was actually a really hard decision because I love Rangi with my heart and soul,” Brown said.
“He’s been an absolute old marvel for me.
“Secret Admirer is heading down to Melbourne for either the Caulfield Cup or the Cox Plate and if I was to get off her I know I wouldn’t get back on her.
“She’s going forward, not that he (Rangirangdoo) isn’t, but his longevity is probably not really that long so that’s sort of why I chose her.
“She’s obviously heading towards the two big ones in Melbourne and I want to stay on her.”
Brown had his first ride on Secret Admirer in the Warwick Stakes last month when the Grahame Begg-trained mare ran a pleasing second. Suspension ruled him out of the mare’s second at Warwick Farm in the Chelmsford Stakes with James McDonald aboard.
Brown is looking forward to the five-year-old getting back to her home track over 1600m.
“I think it’s pretty obvious she’s going to appreciate getting back to Randwick,” Brown said.
“She’s a dual Group One winner at Randwick over the mile (1600m) and I really don’t think Warwick Farm is her sort of track even though she’s competitive there.
“Grahame said she’s pulled up great from her last run and I’m just happy to be riding her this time in.”
While Secret Admirer is considered one of the leading George Main Stakes chances, Brown is also well aware of the talent among the mare’s rivals, including Rangirangdoo.
The eight-year-old is a Doncaster Mile winner at Randwick while Brown’s wins on the gelding include the 2011 Group One George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill.
The Chris Waller-trained Rangirangdoo was fourth with 61.5kg first-up in the Tramway Handicap on September 8.
“It would not surprise me to see him win,” Brown said of Rangirangdoo.
“He’s an old marvel and he ran super first-up with a big weight and was probably on the wrong part of the track.
“It was a tough decision and took me a while to make it, but what’s done is done.”
