Sizzling's Secret Blaze Claims the JRA Cup

Mark Smith - Friday September 24

Injury restricted the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Secret Blaze to just four starts in 2020 but the son of Sizzling looked back to his best with a dominant performance in Friday night’s Group III Steamatic JRA Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

Secret Blaze blows them away (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Craig Williams, Secret Blaze over overpowered the ever-consistent Homesman (War Front) by three-quarters of length with Rostropovich (Frankel) a half-length back in third.

It was a well-spaced second stakes win for Secret Blaze after the Listed Galilee Final at Caulfield in April 2019. His overall record advances to seven wins, five seconds and three thirds from 30 starts with earnings of $711,400.

 “It was a pretty good watch. Craig thought he’d get the run of the race from barrier three, and he did that,” Tony McEvoy said.

“I’m just so pleased for the horse. He’s come back from a setback, a tendon.

“He’s such a great gentleman to deal with and he’s been a great patient all the way through. It was lovely to see him get back at this level.

“There’s a stack of races for this fellow. We can now go to the Coongy or the Herbert Power. Or maybe even that big dance (Caulfield Cup). It is lovely to get him back in form and we’ll regroup and decide in a few days.”

Advertisement

“He’s sound as a bell. It’s fabulous.”

A half-brother to $3million earner and Group II winner Invincibella, Secret Blaze was a $90,000 purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing from the Millford Thoroughbreds draft at the 2017 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale

Secret Blaze a $90,000 Inglis Premier Sale yearling

Secret Blaze is one of three winners from four to race from unraced Galileo (IRE) mare Abscond, who comes from the family of Group I SAJC Adelaide Cup winner The Hind and Listed Geelong Cup winner Oregon Star, so it's probably no great surprise he has found his forte as a stayer.

Abscond has a yearling filly by Russian Revolution and was covered by I Am Invincible last spring.

Secret Blaze is the lone stakes-winner for Sizzling, who stands at Riverdene Stud for a fee of $6,000 after beginning his career at Newgate Farm.

Advertisment

Race Result - Steamatic Jra Cup Gr3 2040m

Moonee Valley Track: Good(3) Time: 2:04.31
1
Secret Blaze
- 6g Sizzling (AUS) x Abscond (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: Craig Williams 54
2
0.8
Homesman
- 8g War Front (USA) x My Annette (USA) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Jye McNeil 60
3
1.3
Rostropovich
- 7g Frankel (GB) x Tyranny (GB) (Machiavellian (USA))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: C Newitt 54
4
1.7
Defibrillate
- 7g Shocking (AUS) x Our Chickaroonie (NZ) (Groom Dancer (USA))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 56.5
5
2.5
Ghodeleine
- 7m Monaco Consul (NZ) x Swan River (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: Andrew Noblet Rdr: Patrick Moloney 54
6
2.6
Inverloch
- 8g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Ideal (GB) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Ms L J Meech 55
7
2.8
Sound
- 9h Lando (GER) x Sky Dancing (IRE) (Exit To Nowhere (USA))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: J Mott 57
8
2.9
Djukon
- 6g Jukebox Jury (IRE) x Djumama (IRE) (Aussie Rules (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Damien Thornton 54
9
4.4
Hi Stranger
- 5g Zoffany (IRE) x Luxury Suite (AUS) (Viscount (AUS))
Tnr: S Fliedner Rdr: D Moor 54
10
10.4
Eperdument
- 7m Americain (USA) x Cislunar (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: T T Oxlade Rdr: D Yendall 54
11
15.6
Al Galayel
- 8g Zoffany (IRE) x Glympse (IRE) (Spectrum (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: John Allen 55
12
17.6
English King
- 5h Camelot (GB) x Platonic (GB) (Zafonic (USA))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: M J Dee 54
More Reading...
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
Cambridge Stud Celebrate Ceolwulf Victory
Homebred Ceolwulf’s successful defence of his Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) title ensured Cambridge Stud celebrated a top day at Randwick.
G1 Champions Mile Next for Ceolwulf
Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away.
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.
First Win for $2.1million Magic Millions Sale-Topper
It was a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday when Avantaggia, the filly that topped the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, broke through for her maiden win in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m).
Pier Headed to Melbourne
Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier to test his talent in Melbourne.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
A lone 2YO went around in an 800m trial for two and three year-olds at Hawkesbury on Tuesday and the Snitzel colt won in good style carrying the Mulberry Racing colours.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
TBA Mourn Passing of So You Think
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse join the wider industry in mourning the passing of So You Think, one of the modern greats of the Australian turf and a truly elite sire.