Purton Picks Up Secret Everest Slot for Godolphin

Hong Kong Champion Jockey Zac Purton will ride Godolphin's In Secret (I Am Invincible-Eloping, by Choisir) in The Everest, reported smh.com.au. "I have watched this race build for the past six years and have wanted to be part of it and this is my first opportunity to come back for it," Purton said. "On television, the atmosphere comes through as electric, and I can remember during Covid watching it and saying this is amazing, I just want to be there. It has quickly become one of the races every jockey in the world wants to ride in. To get a ride for Godolphin in it, on one of the best sprinters in Australia for the 12 months, means I'm coming down on a real winning chance. It didn't take me long to say yes when James rang and asked me to ride In Secret and he looks to have timed her preparation perfectly to peak at 1200m in a couple of weeks." In Secret has won six of her twelve starts and was third, then fourth in her two starts so far this preparation. "Our Zac was in discussions right up to the end, which is a credit to what he has achieved in such a short time," trainer James Cummings said. "But when you can get a jockey with the experience of Zac Purton in one of the biggest of races of the year, it won the day. We have had In Secret at the top of our Everest list from the start of the preparation and even though she hasn't won her two runs, they have been excellent building toward The Everest and the 1200m, which is her best trip."

In Secret will be partnered with Zac Purton (pic: Mark Gatt)