Delago’s Secret A Chance For Sydney Cup

Trainer Roger James has revealed that progressive stayer Delago’s Secret could make the trip to Australia for the 2015 Sydney Cup at Royal Randwick on April 11.

Roger James is hoping to bring Delago's Secret to Australia during the 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnvial. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Roger James is hoping to bring Delago’s Secret to Australia during the 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnvial. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Delago’s Secret made his racing debut in September of 2013 and he had five race starts before he broke through for a maiden race win in the Kilgravin Lodge Maiden (1600m) at Matatmata on January 17 last year and won the Insurance Conditions Handicap (1600m) at Te Rapa three months later.

James elected to give Delago’s Secret a maiden opportunity at Group level in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie on February 15, but he could finish no better than ninth behind Puccini and Rising Romance and he was sent to the spelling paddock after he took out a 2000 metre event at Te Rapa on April 26.

Delago’s Secret produced promising performances in the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) at Avondale and the Group 3 Waikato Times Gold Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa at the end of last year and he recorded a maiden win at Group level when he worked home strongly from the tail of the field to score a tough victory in the Group 3 City Of Auckland Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Eve.

The Encosta De Lago gelding was sent to the spelling paddock following his brave City Of Auckland Cup win, but James told Racing Ahead that the four-year-old will return to the races in New Zealand and make the trip to Australia if he performs well in the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie in March.

Delago’s Secret will make his Australian racing debut in the Group 3 Manion Cup (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21 and contest the Group 2 Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) at Royal Randwick on April 4 before he potentially steps up to 3200 metres for the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m).

“I have a horse call Delago’s Secret,” James said.

“He won the City Of Auckland Cup here on New Year’s Day and he has had a short spell.

“He will resume in a 1500 metre handicap and then run in the Group 1 2000 metre weight-for-age race.

“All going well, he will come across for the Manion Cup, the Chairman’s Handicap and then possibly the Sydney Cup.”

James has not had a runner in the Sydney Cup since Giovana finished fifth behind Mr. Prudent in the 2011 edition of the race.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.