Tag Archive for: Thesecretadversary

Thesecretadversary hits Listed target at Tipperary

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Thesecretadversary claimed the scalp of Brussels to open his account in taking fashion in the Coolmore Stud Churchill Stakes at Tipperary.

Second to Humidity in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, Fozzy Stack’s youngster was surprisingly beaten at odds of 2-13 when fancied to get off the mark in an Ayr maiden last time out.

Unperturbed by that defeat, he returned to Listed level to take on the challenge of Aidan O’Brien’s impressive debut scorer and July Stakes fourth Brussels, who was sent off the 10-11 favourite in the hands of Wayne Lordan.

Brussels appeared on course for a return to the winner’s enclosure when Lordan sent his mount for home inside the final quarter-mile, but having travelled smoothly throughout in the hands of Seamie Heffernan, Thesecretadversary finished powerfully to register a length success at odds of 3-1.

Stack said “His run at Ayr was a mess-up and while maybe the winner isn’t too bad, they went no gallop and the ground was soft. He had run well in Ascot and backed that up today. He did it well.

“It might be worth taking our chance in those big races now and there’s a Grade One (Summer Stakes on September 13) race for him in Canada on the same weekend as the National Stakes, which might be an option.

“The horse’s family has been lucky for me and thanks to the Rupert and Magnier families (joint-owners) for sending them all to me. My association goes back to Scream Blue Murder and I have an older full sister to Thesecretadversary in training as well.”

Almeraq powers to hugely impressive victory at Ayr

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William Haggas looks to have a very useful three-year-old in his armoury after Almeraq blitzed the field in the Fergie & Myra Happel Ayr Gold Cup Trial Handicap at Ayr.

The Shadwell-owned Dark Angel colt was making his handicap debut off a mark of 90 as the 2-1 favourite in Scotland and looked at ease as he stalked the early leaders in the six-furlong race.

He made headway at the halfway stage and moved in front at the two-furlong marker before kicking into top gear to breeze clear of his 17 rivals. Almeraq, who has an entry for the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock in September, powered to the line to complete a five-length success in the hands of Clifford Lee and enhance his growing reputation.

The four-year-old was slashed in price to 3-1 favourite with the sponsors for the Coral Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood, although Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold sounded a warning note over Almeraq lining in the big handicap on Saturday week.

“I was impressed with his performance and it’s good to see him come back to what we’d thought he might show,” Gold said.

“We always hoped last year that he would be a nice horse and he just had a few little niggles in the spring, which held William up when they wanted to get going with him.

“The only thing I would caution – I haven’t spoken to William, all options are open – but we’ve taken a long time and been very patient with him.

“Hopefully his future is all in front of him and hopefully in the autumn we will get some decent ground, so I’m not saying he won’t run at Goodwood, but I’d be surprised if he bounced straight back in after being so patient with him.

“It’s only 12 days away so let’s see. We’ll see what the weather does and see how he comes out of this.”

There was a shock in the opening racingtv.com/freetrial EBF Maiden Stakes as Chesham Stakes runner-up Thesecretadversary was beaten by debutant Rochfortbridge (28-1). Fozzy Stack’s colt went off as the 2-13 favourite, but he came out of the stalls slowly and was in the rear for much of the seven-furlong contest.

While Thesecretadversary came to the outside with two furlongs to go, Adrian Keatley’s charge proved too much as the 100,000 guineas buy claimed victory by three-quarters of a length, to leave his trainer eyeing up a tilt at the Acomb Stakes at York.

Thesecretadversary is one to keep on side for future runs

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It is surely only a matter of time before Thesecretadversary makes his mark on the racecourse after a brave effort in defeat in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Fozzy Stack’s youngster hit the crossbar at Leopardstown on debut and upped to Listed level for his second start, lost nothing in defeat after trying to match strides with impressive winner Humidity.

Dropping back in class for a maiden would seem a formality, but it would be no surprise to also see him continue to ply his trade with flying colours in deep company as the season progresses.