Secret a Group 1 star for Bendigo connections

7 July 2013 - Two-year-old Major Secret added his name to Australia's list of juvenile stars with his fantastic Group 1 victory in the Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series  2yo C&G Final at Melton last night.
Bendigo owners share in the successful standardbred  group that race the son of Art Major. Major Secret was coming off a tough sixth in his semi-final after he had to sit parked and prior to that the pacer had only lost one of his four starts, in the Southern Cross final at Globe Derby in early June. From barrier two he was able to cross down to the pegs early before allowing race favourite Business In Motion to work around and find the top going out of the first bend. The $2.40 favourite was then pressured by one of the well supported outsiders Master Mach Manus who worked to the death seat mid-race. With that horse quickly fading off the back, Business In Motion and Major Secret snuck away from the bulk of their rivals with Kiwi hope Messini producing a three-wide run inside the last lap. The trio squared off on the final bend and just as Messini loomed up to the favourite, Major Secret secured the pegs run and dashed after the two leaders. Inside the final 100 metres it was all the Emma Stewart-trained colt and Bendigo's champion driver Daryl Douglas spoke glowingly of his efforts post-race. “It was really the run we’d hoped for and with the barrier draw falling our way it just all worked out. With a bit of mid-race pressure we had a lovely run in behind,” Douglas said. “He’s a great little horse, I think when he comes back next year he will be better again. “I don’t know about me, all credit has to go to Emma (Stewart) and Clayton (Tonkin) and all the team.” On a wet start to the night, the mile rate was recorded in 1:58.2 with a 57.5 last half.