We may have missed out on a decent payday by the barest of margins last start, but connections of promising customer Knot Secret gained some consolation with a straightforward win in the Seacorp Handicap (Race 3-1300m) at Belmont today.
The now four-year-old was edged out in a photo finish to the 3YO Plate (1400m) at Belmont two weeks ago, a head away from $43,850 in stakes plus $43,175 Westspeed bonus payments, but the stable is confident he’s a genuine Saturday-grade galloper and will get plenty of opportunities to put cash in the bank.
Sent out a firming $2.25 favourite this afternoon, Shaun McGruddy opted to take the trail on the leader’s back, and simply just had to wait until the cutaway rail presented itself in the straight before pressing the go button.
Under 60.5kg Knot Secret responded strongly and while Dais loomed as a danger briefly, he stretched out right to the line to record a 0.70L win.
Secured for $60,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Knot Secret has always shown above-average potential but has taken some time to fill out his ample frame. Still having a way to go before he’s the finished product physically, and we’ll be looking for him to really hit his straps towards at the back end of 2022 and into the New Year.