Second Slip has proven a profitable acquisition for his connections landing his sixth win of the year with a fighting victory at Flemington on Saturday.
Prepared at Morphettville by Will Clarken, Second Slip arrived in Adelaide late last year after 12 starts in New Zealand for Kevin Gray, for whom he won twice, and after Saturday’s win in the Kennedy Handicap (1400m) he has the enviable record of 24 starts for eight wins and more than $372,000 in prize money.
Sent out the $2.45 favourite under Jamie Kah, Second Slip scored by a long-neck from Blazejowski ($5) with Open Minded ($9) a further length away third.
The five-year-old son of Alamosa is one of three horses that Clarken has entered for undercard races at the Dubai World Cup Carnival joining He’s A Balter and Parsifal.
Kah gave Second Slip the run of the race on Saturday outside of the runner-up Blazejowski while getting a good trail behind the speed headed by Yes Baby Yes and Open Minded.
Second Slip joined the leaders inside the 200m mark and looked set for a comfortable win, but Blazejowski kept on fighting.
“He’s a quirky horse,” Kah said.
“He was actually going to put them away by a bit more today and he pricked his ears.
“For a five-year-old he’s a big baby still, but he’s a nice horse and Will had him perfect today.”
Having won the Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville earlier in the spring, the next logical step for Second Slip would be return to Flemington on New Year’s Day for the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m).
But Kah said she just turns up on race day to ride the horse after discussing options with her manager Lachie Weekley.
“I’ll just close my mouth and ride them, that’s all up to Will,” Kah said.
“Big thanks to Lachie who looks after Will’s stable. He’s been amazing for me over the last few months.
“He’s been my rock and it’s really nice to repay him today.”
Second Slip made his way to the Clarken stable after attracting the attention of Melbourne-based bloodstock agent Lenny Russo, who brokered a deal.
Second Slip is one of several successful horses purchased by Russo on Clarken’s behalf that includes city winners Savatag and Handsome Return who have both comfortably eclipsed their purchase prices with multiple victories across the Tasman.
Russo has enjoyed good success sourcing tried horse from New Zealand, with other successful Kiwi acquisitions including Count da Vinci, The Willybe, Lucky for All, Open Minded, Akamon, Parliament, Banstead and Rock In The Park.
