Second on debut to Dynamited at Rosehill on November 11, she had the benefit of
race experience when going into the $150,000 ATC Golden Gift at Rosehill on
Saturday and it proved a winning edge.With the race favourite Plague Stone slow to begin and then overracing, it was left to Secret Lady (image Steve Hart) to take up the lead which she refused to surrender.
She held a length and a quarter margin over the Lonhro colt at the finish and in so doing booked her ticket to the Gold Coast.
"I was pretty confident when I saw the favourite doing a bit wrong," Portelli said.
"I think the second horse was a bit unlucky but we were ready to go, got the job done and now we're qualified for the Magic Millions and probably qualified for a (Golden) Slipper.
"She's a really good doer, she's such a relaxed filly with a stack of ability and will only improve from here on."
Secret Lady was a $150,000 Magic Millions Perth purchase from the Gold Front Thoroughbreds draft for Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock (FBAA) / Portelli Racing and is the second winner from stakes-winning Bletchley Park mare For Your Eyes Only.
