Godolphin stablemates at The Everest
In Secret and Cylinder covered themselves glory with fantastic performances in the $20 million The Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Cylinder (Exceed And Excel) finished a gallant fifth after challenging for the lead over the famous Randwick rise, while In Secret (I Am Invincible) caught the eye with a brilliant burst from last to grab fourth prize.
The four-year-old was beaten just over one length by Think About It, I Wish I Win and Private Eye as the winner recorded a sizzling 1minute 7.76 seconds for the 1,200m.
In Secret returned a blistering final 600m in 32.38 seconds – easily the fastest of the race.
Champion Hong Kong-based jockey Zac Purton was delighted with her run after the mare drew the outside barrier, was ridden quietly and didn’t find clear running until inside the 200m pole.
“A really, really good run,” Purton said.
“I just got stuck behind Shinzo, who couldn’t really hold his spot and dragged me out of it a little bit.
“Once I was able to get around him and then come through, she was very good.”
In Secret is now likely to head to Melbourne during the Cup Carnival and target the $3 million Darley Champions Sprint on Saturday, 11 November down the Flemington straight, where she’s a dual G1 winner.
Exceed And Excel three-year-old Cylinder did a great job at his first test against open class and should also be Melbourne bound, with the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1,200m) is goal.
“A fantastic run, at the top of the straight I thought I was a sneaky chance,” Lloyd said.
“He quickened with the winner but in the last 200m found a few a bit stronger than him at this stage.
“He’s a great colt.”
Earlier at Randwick, Sequestered started the day on a winning note for head trainer James Cummings in the World Pool BM78 Handicap over 1,400m.
A first-up winner midweek winner at Rosehill last month, Sequestered peeled off the fence on top of the rise and sprinted quickly for Lloyd to easily beat Body Bob and Nails Murphy by a widening 1.5 lengths.
The four-year-old mare by Pierro stopped the clock on a fast 1minute 21.24seconds in winning her fourth race, with two placings, from just eight starts.
