Secret Brief Strikes In Lincoln

Secret Brief ensured a perfect start to Godolphin's 2016 UK turf campaign with a brave success in the Betway Lincoln, the traditional curtain raiser for the new Flat season, at Doncaster on Saturday, April 2.

The Charlie Applebly-trained four-year-old had previously made two appearances on a much faster surface at Meydan, UAE, earlier this year, but revelled in testing conditions to edge out Bravo Zolo in the closing stages of the heritage handicap.

Secret Brief broke smartly from his high draw and travelled strongly under William Buick on the stands' side of the 22 runners for much of the mile contest.

He cruised up to go second a furlong and a half from home and stayed on strongly to take the lead from Bravo Zolo near the line and score by a neck in 1m 46.25s on ground described as soft, heavy in places.

John Ferguson, Chief Executive and Racing Manager of Godolphin, commented: "This is a lovely start to the season for everybody in the team, who has worked so well.

"Secret Brief has been trained out in Marmoom Stables over the winter, so it was the perfect preparation to go from the sunshine of Dubai to the heavy ground of Doncaster! He has handled the ground really well and I was very impressed with the way he travelled in the race.

"The ground was an unknown. He has run well with cut in the ground before but this was a different proposition. He is tough and genuine - he really tried and stuck his neck out today.

"William gave him a lovely ride and Charlie has done a fabulous job of preparing him."

William Buick added: "The Lincoln is a great race to win and it is a very unusual winner for both myself and Godolphin.

"I have to give credit to the whole team at home and Jemma, who rode him everyday out in Dubai. They have done a fantastic job with him and he came in today's race in great shape. We have a great team in Newmarket and Dubai, so it is thanks to them.

"We struggled to figure out Secret Brief last year but he finished the season with a good run at Ascot and his last run in Dubai was good as well. We are just getting to know him and finding the key to him but winning the Lincoln is great."