Three winners in the last week was a big tonic for the stable after a frustrating run of being “close but not close enough!”
On Saturday, Knight’s Choice showed his brilliant turn of foot, getting back to the winning enclosure at Doomben in his first attempt at a staying journey, after two trips to Sydney this campaign.
This 2200m victory will open plenty of doors for him, and John and Sheila will no doubt place him to advantage in the autumn, if not earlier.
Secret Statement never looked a winner until the last stride or so in his 1000m maiden at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, and under heavy riding from Jaden Lloyd displayed great tenacity to stick his head out in an incredible finish.
He will continue to improve as a racehorse with this experience; he has needed plenty of patience and does lots wrong.
Ironic that his full brother Act of Faith won his second start in Hong Kong during the week too.
A little unexpected, but that what Daintree Diva does, was the mare’s first up win at Ipswich over 1666.
Pinging the gates, Jaden had her box-seating all of the way and she was also very tenacious to the line.
Excellent work by the team and we are looking forward to some strong results as we press into the summer carnival.