Secret seals stylish Meydan success

PA Sport Reporters
February 27, 2020 6:45 pm

Dubai Gold Cup a possible aim.

Secret Advisor confirmed his troubles are well and truly behind him with a second win in a row at Meydan.

Successful in a Listed handicap four weeks ago on his comeback, the six-year-old followed up in good style for trainer Charlie Appleby in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy to possibly put himself in line for the Dubai Gold Cup.

Godolphin were responsible for five of the nine runners for this Group Three contest over a mile and three-quarters and the quintet filled the top places in the early stages.

Gifts Of Gold went to the front when the field settled down, while William Buick held Secret Advisor up at the back of the leading pack.

The pace-setter soon weakened when they turned for home, with Secret Advisor (100-30) going on over a furlong out.

He soon put the race to bed and crossed the line a length and quarter to the good over Dubai Future, with Dubai Horizon third as Saeed bin Suroor’s pair took the places.

The David Simcock-trained Spanish Mission was only sixth after being in the rear early on and unable to strike a blow.

Appleby said: “We were very pleased with his first start here. Before, when he was a three-year-old, he won the Melrose and that’s a good race to produce staying horses for the future.

“Unfortunately, he’s been challenging for everybody and full credit to the team at this stage of his career.

“William was delighted with that. He’s travelled round and was the class in the race, really. He’s picked up and he’s stayed — he’s ticked all the boxes.

“Whether we get a shot to run him on (Dubai) World Cup night, we’ll see on racing, as he’s still got a bit to find. If he doesn’t get the opportunity to run World Cup night, then I’m sure we’ll look down the staying route back in Europe and regroup here next winter.”

It was a good night for trainer and jockey with Appleby also successful with Well Of Wisdom, Star Safari and Velorum, while Buick was on the former and was also successful on Parsimony for American trainer Doug O’Neill.