Racing: Spirited effort by top-rated filly

Secret Spirit and David Walsh have a length to spare over Stradivarius in the Ford Ryder Stakes at Otaki yesterday. Photo / Thinkstock

Secret Spirit stamped herself as a contender for early three-year-old honours in the new season when she continued her winning habit at Otaki yesterday.

The northern filly completed a black type double with her victory in the Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder Stakes coming off the back of success in the Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes at Ellerslie.

Trained at Matamata by Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott, Secret Spirit's first main target in the 2015-16 term is likely to be the Listed O'Leary's Fillies' Stakes at Wanganui on September 5.

"Since the Foal Stakes she's had 10 days off in the paddock at Wexford so we'll probably press on to Wanganui," Scott said.

"She's already won over 1400 metres so the distance will be no problem."

Secret Spirit was capably handled yesterday by Craig Grylls, who had previously won a trial on the Swiss Ace filly in the autumn.

"It was a really good ride and to instructions," Scott said. "We wanted to give her a chance to settle and grow confidence and then come at them late.

"It was a good effort and it augurs well going into the new season."

Raced by the Adrian Clark-managed Challenge No2 Syndicate, Secret Spirit accounted for Stradivarius by a length with The Dom third ahead of Lucky Edie and The Axe, who came with long strides from last.

"We got a lovely trip three back on the fence and I was able to get off turning into the straight," Grylls said. "She coasted up to them pretty easily and I had them covered at the 200. I wouldn't say this is her best going either, she was floundering a bit early."

Meanwhile Peter McKenzie and David Walsh have been a force to be reckoned with for a number of years and they continued their successful association at Otaki yesterday.

The Levin breeder, owner and trainer and the now Christchurch-based jockey have enjoyed a long and lucrative partnership with such talented types as Sculptor, Empyreal, Lord Monty, Malachite, Miles, Josephine and Reign Supreme, who were all by His Royal Highness.

The son of Grosvenor won two of his seven starts, one with Walsh in the saddle, and was Group Three placed before injury forced his retirement to McKenzie's Strathcarron Stud where he stood until his passing in 2009.

McKenzie and Walsh combined with another family member at Otaki where Farce made a winning debut in the Courtesy Ford Levin, Palmerston North & Feilding Maiden.

"He gets a bit excited and this was a good opportunity to give him a race close to home," McKenzie said.

"He's the seventh foal to race for the mare and they have all won."

- NZ Racing Desk.