The racing gods choose not to smile upon Dynamic's SECRET DELIGHT in the Darby Munro Stakes LR last Saturday but the determined effort by all those who watched her run and specifically those who read the Stewards Report will be well aware of the outstanding run it was and how bright a future the 3yo filly has in front of her over the coming runs.
SECRET DELIGHT
It seemed like we were watching a pinball machine rather than a race, seeing our filly get smashed up by a wayward Ichihara (H Bowman) and Lampedusa (L Nolen) at the start as both riders allowed their mounts to whack and squeeze all hope out our filly from 20 metres after the start, costing our horse 3-4 lengths, squirting her out the back to the tail of the field and costing our connections all winning hope. Then at the top of the straight as the filly straightened for the run home again she was denied a run as the gap closed, forcing our rider Tommy Berry to check the filly and loose all momentum when forced to change course.
Since when does the punishment match the breach ? - A simple chat from the Stewards to the offending rider sufficed. This is not the opinion of an owner wearing rose coloured glasses, this is supported in the official Stewards Report.
So you would assume that our filly, who was 10 lengths or more off the leaders at the 600m, was entitled to run last in such a quality field, especially when she was paying $136 on the tote as they jumped.
However it was not the case.
SECRET DELIGHT had still managed to run 7th just 2.8 lengths from the winner and only 2 lengths from third place and beat home 6 fancied big names: LAMPEDUSA, ICHIHARA, SHE'S A FOX, FIRE THUNDERBOLT, FAUSTUS and LIMES.
Our rider was full of praise for SECRET DELIGHT who he described as having run "super" and had no chance after she was smashed at the start and then held up in the straight. Tommy Berry reported she was right up with the best of them and with any luck would have been right in the finish. Tommy also reported that she was strong through the line and would benefit by looking at races that were a bit further, suggesting a 1400m or even 1600m would suit.
We remain confident that that SECRET DELIGHT has a nice race ahead of her with average racing luck.