And the Emirates Stakes will make it three … Secret Admirer has started in two 1600-metre group 1 races - and won both.
THERE are ''no big heads'' in trainer Grahame Begg's stable but there are big plans for Secret Admirer after Saturday's Emirates Stakes at Flemington.
Begg's wife, Sue, could not find a sponsor's cap that was small enough for her husband before he fronted reporters yesterday.
''He has a pinhead,'' she said.
''There are no big heads in our operation,'' Begg retorted. ''There is no room for them.''
The Randwick trainer could have a big head about the Emirates, a race he has won with Bonanova and All Silent.
''I have had three runners in it before, the other was Telesto, and I can't remember where he finished,'' Begg said (actually fourth, in 1993). ''It is one of those races we have come to with the right horse for a couple of times.''
Secret Admirer will be out to continue the tradition and to enhance her record at 1600 metres, which stands at two starts for two group 1 wins, both on her home track.
The Flight Stakes as a three-year-old plus last month's Epsom is not a bad return for a mare which couldn't reach her reserve at the Inglis Classic sale a couple of years ago.
The Dubawi four-year-old has taken owner John Muir on an exciting ride, which will almost certain to lead overseas in the next couple of years. ''He pinhooked her as a weanling and prepared for the classic sale but ended up having to take her home when she didn't make reserve,'' Begg said. ''I rang him and asked if I could train her and it went from there.
''John has never had a horse like her. He bred Once Were Wild, but this is his best horse and he would really like to take her overseas.
''Whether that is this year or next has yet to be decided - but has come into our planning for the spring.''
Secret Admirer could be a little temperamental as young horse and was difficult to train, Begg said.
''She had a mind of her own and wanted things her own way as a younger horse. As she has matured she has got better, but she still can be a bit hard to train. We need to be aware of it when we program her.
''We didn't want to overtax her this prep, that's why we went to the Epsom and then the Cox Plate, and she was always going to have a run at Flemington and this race fitted best.
''We could have gone to the Mackinnon or Myer Classic, but I wanted to give her a bit of time to get over the Cox Plate.''
The overseas options for Secret Admirer include Hong Kong and Royal Ascot, where Begg would consider a race such as the Queen Anne on the opening day down the straight mile course.
''I would like to stay in Australia for another season but we will sit down at the end of this prep and make those decisions,'' Begg said. ''We have a very good miler and there a couple of nice races for her here.''
Begg is happy to have Brenton Avdulla, the former Victorian with whom he has formed a successful combination, in the saddle again.
''He is a Melbourne boy and knows how to ride the track,'' Begg said. ''He knows the horse and how to ride her and will get it right.
''I think the bigger track will suit her and we could have the right horse for this race again.''
