Epsom Handicap winner Secret Admirer has been solid in the lead up to the Cox Plate

Despite winning the 2011 Epsom Handicap in tremendous style it’s safe to say Secret Admirer has still managed to fly somewhat under the radar in the lead up to the Cox Plate.

With so much attention on the likes of Rekindled Interest and Helmet as well as the ongoing drama and eventual scratching with Descarado, Grahame Begg has managed to go about his business with relative ease.

The times we have seen her in track work she’s looked very solid but as yet she hasn’t been really opened up.

Begg says that’s the way he wanted to come into the Cox Plate as he eases her into the setup at Moonee Valley.

“Only worked on her own, hasn’t been under too much pressure,” he said.

“Seems to have got around the turns very well.”

He says while to some her track work may look steady her racing style makes it look a lot easier than perhaps it might be.

“She’s a horse that can run quite quick sectionals, that’s why we’ve always got to be a bit guarded about how much we make her do,” he said.

“She looks like she’s doing it easy but when you see the clock she’s actually running quite quickly.”

It’s not like she needs to be fully wound up either with her Epsom win showing she’s already packing the fitness to be competitive in this race.

That being said it doesn’t mean she hasn’t improved between then and now.

“She hasn’t taken a backward step…to my eye she looks better,” Begg said.

She has a potentially awkward draw in gate eight and Brenton Avdulla will need to be careful not to get swallowed up and spat out the back.

If he can find her some space off the turn though Begg is hopeful she’ll take advantage of it.

“Let’s hope she can have the last shot at them at the finish,” he said.