The Group III Powerflo Solutions Tesio Stakes (2040m) is the tenth and final race at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day and a tough spot for anyone looking to get out.
It could be extra stressful if you're on Private Legacy, who has won one of 15 starts. That came at Kembla Grange at her ninth start.
Suppose you are a supporter picking themselves up after taking $51 when Private Legacy stormed home for second in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks or took the $41 when she rocketed home for second at her most recent start in the Group III Ladies Day Vase. In that case, you are obliged to back up on Saturday.
Despite her poisonous early odds of $5.50 and a horrible map that sees her trapped back on the fence, worse than midfield, from the inside barrier.
A history of near misses in big races seems to be a family trait.
The daughter of The Autumn Sun was a $90,000 purchase by her trainer, Greg Hickman, from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.
Private Legacy is the third and final foal of the prodigiously talented Husson (ARG) mare Private Secretary, who Hickman also trained, and many of her owners have an interest in Private Legacy.
Unlike her daughter, Private Secretary was quick off the mark, winning four of her first five starts and ended her career with eight wins and right places from 23 starts. While a stakes win eluded her, Private Secretary finished runner-up in the Group III Wenona Girl Hcp, Group III SAJC Proud Miss Stakes and Listed Qld Tatt's RC Memorial Classic, and was third in the Group III VRC GH Mumm Stakes.
A large proportion of her $1million in earnings came from her penultimate start when coming from 16th and last for a memorable win in the $1million Magic Millions Fillies and Mares Plate at the Gold Coast, defeating I Am Zelady, who had denied Private Secretary victory in the same race the previous year.
Private Secretary's dam Secretaire (Danehill) was also denied a stakes win when second in the Group III SAJC Sires' Produce Stakes, while Secretaire's half-brother Imposing Bull (Imposing), who was runner-up to Kingston Bay in The Group 1 Rosehill Guineas and third behind Burst and Yachtie in the Group 1 ATC Champagne Stakes.
Private Secretary cost Greg Hickman $32,000 at the 2011 National Yearling Sale. After earning $1million on the track, she was sold to Freyer Bloodstock (FBAA) for $325,000 at the 2017 National Broodmare Sale.
Her first two foals by Snitzel have a Tamworth maiden win in 16 starts between them.
Sadly, Private Secretary died in Ocober 2020.
But not to leave on a downer, Private Secretary's sixth dam, Brown Biscuit, is a half-sister to the legend Seabicuit, who had no trouble winning stakes races.
