Racing: Oaks a fairytale return for Molander

Two years ago, Nicole Molander thought her career in harness racing was over.

Last night, it reached its zenith when she reined New Zealand's most improved filly, Secret Potion, to a brave victory in the group-one Pascoes Northern Oaks at Alexandra Park.

The near-perfect filly overcame a second-line draw with a lightning mid-race move to grab the lead before outstaying stablemate Meredith Maguire and favourite De Lovely, who led early before settling three back on the markers.

While the placegetters were making ground on the winner in the last 100m, it was hard to make excuses for the beaten brigade, with Secret Potion coming from the worst draw.

Even more remarkably, the daughter of Courage Under Fire didn't start racing until this season and wasn't considered among our top fillies until a few weeks ago.

While her rise to the top has been one of the stories of the harness-racing season, Molander's return to the big time is a fairytale.

Two years ago, she and husband Dean decided to start a family and the birth of daughter Ella left her pondering her future in the industry.

"I thought I might never get back into it fulltime because it is hard to get decent opportunities," admitted Molander, who had success earlier in her career as Nicole Thorn.

But when opportunity knocked, it sounded like thunder, with Mark Purdon approaching Molander to be the foreperson for his new northern satellite stable.

"It was an incredible opportunity and every day I say to myself I have to make the most of it," said Molander.

"I get to learn from the best, be around great horses, and the bonus is getting to drive a filly like this."

While Molander had driven two group-one winners before behind Gotta Go Cullen, last night's win meant so much more as she has worked with Secret Potion all along.

"She is one of our babies, so I am thrilled to win a big one on her."

Earlier in the night, stablemate Russley Rascal confirmed his favouritism for next Friday's $500,000 Woodlands Northern Derby with a crushing prelude win. He was able to overcome sitting parked to down Victoria Derby winner Courage To Rule in a crushing performance.

The second prelude was won in similar fashion by Four Starzzz Flash, who looks to be back to his best form.

Meanwhile, one-time Derby favourite Sir Lincoln was scratched from his heat last night after developing a slight touch of colic yesterday morning.

Trainer Ray Green will wait until Monday to decide whether to start him in Friday's Derby.