Top Ride! Robbie Fradd keeps Secret Obsession at her task to win teh Syringa Handicap
Rides from the front are always top drawer when they land up in the winner’s enclosure. But Robbie Fradd truly deserves every credit for a measure of genius aboard Geoff Woodruff’s Secret Obsession in the R150 000 Listed Syringa Handicap run over a mile at Turffontein on Saturday.
Fradd, who has ridden with great success in Hong Kong, is one of our most seasoned and experienced jockeys. His initiative in taking the Captain Al filly Secret Obsession to lead early proved the dealmaker in this competitive handicap.
The race looked wide open with a case readily being made for the majority of the fourteen runners,with recent form a little sparse generally.
One of only two 3yo’s in a group of battle hardened campaigners, that included a Fillies Guineas winner, Secret Obsession looked to have her work cut out for her.
But things went her way and Fradd’s courage paid off as she led a variety of fillies, including Checcetti, Queen’s Command and Classic Illusion.
She charged into the home straight and found all the way to the line.
Secret Obsession, who jumped at 9 to 1, eventually held on to win by a short head in a time of 97,05 secs.
Saucy Savannah performed best of the De Kock trio to dash through late down the outside for second, while Classic Illusion ran on powerfully to improve nicely for third.
The 4 to 1 favourite Queen’s Command was always thereabouts, but faded to run tenth. She appears at her best when allowed to dicate matters.
As for Bluroute, she is patently not as good as everybody thinks she is and she finished on the fringes of the places, albeit not far behind.
Bred by Riverton Stud, the lightly raced Secret Obsession is a daughter of Captain Al out of the Russian Fox mare, Sweet Natasha.
She had earned a tilt at the classics, courtesy of her promising early form, but found the Triple Tiara tough going behind the star, Cherry On The Top. This was more up her alley.
She cost R400 000 on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 and took her earnings to R208 025.
The Varsfontein Stud owned filly has plenty of scope with just 9 runs under the belt, for 2 wins and 3 places.
