Secret Wish powers home to win Southern Oaks heat

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Hayden and Amanda Cullen look to have another nice three year old in their Rolleston barn, judging by the way Secret Wish (Better’s Wish) won at Oamaru today.

The Cullens had a dominant group of three year old fillies last season with Arafura, General Jen and Winelight.

In today’s Macca Lodge/Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks heat, driver Olivia Thornley settled Secret Wish off the pace with favourite Spirit Of Tupelo leading and Show Stopper sitting in the trail.

Before turning in for the run home, Thornley had to bring her filly four wide to get a clear run. Once she straightened up and the ear plugs were pulled, Secret Wish showed instant speed and quickly gathered in Spirit Of Tupelo and Show Stopper, to win by one and a half lengths.

The winning time for the 2000 metre mobile was 2-24.7 - a mile rate of 1-56.4. The last 800 metres was cut out in 55 seconds.

Cullen said Thornley gave Secret Wish the perfect run today.

“Especially first up. Cran’s horse (Showstopper) had been racing. I said to Oliva not to overdrive her because she’s got a lot of high speed. If you settle handy enough which we didn’t (laughter) you should be able to get over the top of them. She showed her class today,” he said.

Secret Wish was bred by Studholme Bloodstock and was initially trained by Mark and Nathan Purdon.

“When he (Nathan) decided to move north, Brian (West) decided to leave her with us so it’s worked out well.”

Hayden and Amanda only got her at her the tail end of her two year old campaign.

“We didn’t have much luck last campaign. We had a couple of bad draws in the Sires Stakes heats and never made the final. We put her out for a break and she’s had one trial which was last week. She’s quite a lightly framed horse and we’re figuring her out as we go. She doesn’t really take a lot of hard work. I think she’s good enough to compete with the best of them.”

Hayden ‘s not sure which pathway Secret Wish will take in the coming months; ie the Southern Oaks Series or a trip north.

“We’ll just see how things play out. She’s Sires’ Stakes eligible. She’ll only improve off the run and we can take her up to Auckland for the Oaks (1^st May) and the Sires’ Stakes up there.”

The Nevele R Series and New Zealand Oaks could be on her radar later in the season.

“I think she’ll just keep getting better with time. It wouldn’t surprise me if she stepped up to that mark.”