It wasn’t exactly the Stawell Gift, but it was a gift of kinds for Secret Salsa when she led throughout to win race 7 at the country track this afternoon (Monday) in the easiest of fashion.
A drifter in the betting from evens out to 9/4, the Western Australian bred daughter of former Champion stallion Bletchley Park dominated the race from barrier rise never even looking like losing at any stage of the race. At the line she won easily by a margin of 3 lengths giving stable apprentice Ryan Hurdle an armchair ride. It was Ryan’s only ride for the day and he looked very confident on her.
This was Secret Salsa’s second win from just six starts. In fact she’s weighed in (finished in the first five) at every start she’s had so far!
Trainer Luke Oliver says that she’s a very high maintenance mare, but appreciated the softer going underfoot today. He’d now like to step her up a grade and try her in midweek city company at her next start…