Game Stylish Secret bags another Caulfield win

[Wandering Eyes]

Trainer Mick Nolan’s Stylish Secret (NZ) (Sweet Orange) produced a plucky front-running performance to deny in-form mare Sun Gift (NZ) (Savabeel) when winning the Ule Hoof Oil Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Given a perfect ride by apprentice Luke Cartwright, Stylish Secret enjoyed a breather mid-race and filled up the lungs enough to stave off the challenge of Sun Gift as the pair cleared out by more than three lengths from third-placed American Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci).

The diminutive son of Sweet Orange carried just 52.5kg after Cartwright’s claim and has taken his connections on an enjoyable ride.

From 20 starts, the four-year-old gelding has won on four occasions and is three-times placed, advancing his career earnings to A$351,525.

Among those wins are now two victories at the course and distance.

“Definitely the 52 kilos was in his favour today, as well as Luke’s lovely ride in front,” Nolan said.

“I said to him before the race, ‘you’ve got 52, make sure the others know you’ve got the lightweight and don’t let them dictate. You dictate to them, because he’s fit and will run the 2400.”

“He just hasn’t got that sprint like Sun Gift’s got, but he’s a tough grinder and that’s what he did today.”

Nolan said he would give consideration to running Stylish Secret in the Gr.3 Launceston Cup (2400m) on February 25.

“It’s nice if you go there and win it, but then you’re handicapping yourself. All these horses that were top weights here today have all won good races, and that makes them hard to place in the future,” Nolan said.

Stylish Secret was purchased in New Zealand by part-owner Helen Thomas off Gavelhouse.com for just $2,300 as a weanling.

A highly-acclaimed journalist, broadcaster and author, Thomas was on the hunt for a staying type and sought the advice of long-time friend, the late Deane Lester, one of Australia’s most respected form students, who approved of the pedigree, which includes six-win half-brother Unseen Ruler (NZ) (Mongolian Khan).

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