Zacinto Filly Wins G3 Desert Gold

Media Release - Saturday January 19

The Lisa Latta-trained Secret Allure secured her biggest career success when she stormed to victory in Saturday's Group III Williment Travel Group Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.

Secret Allure - Race Images Peter RuberyThe Zacinto three-year-old filly made it back-to-back victories in the race for the Latta stable and rider Leith Innes after Dijon Blue was successful in 2018 on her way to capturing the prestigious New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year title.

A last-start runner-up finish in the Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie saw Secret Allure as one of the main fancies for the contest however it was Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) runner-up Valalie, from the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman stable, who was installed a warm favourite.

Valalie enjoyed a sweet trip in transit behind the early speed with Secret Allure settling well beyond midfield, but against the rail, in a strung-out field for the majority of the race.

Asked to quicken by Innes approaching the home turn Secret Allure was still spotting the leaders some distance, but quickly loomed into contention as Valalie hit the front at the 200m mark.

Secret Allure stormed past her to take control over the final stages before holding out a late charge from Jakkalbomb with Valalie clinging on for third.

"Leith came out and said he had watched a few of her replays and she reminded him a bit of Dijon Bleu," Latta said.

"She hasn't quite got the height of her, but she is a tough little filly.

"I said to Leith that she could pull and I didn't care where he was, just get her one off the fence and just give her a cosy run.

"He said I might look for a run up the inside, so I said just do whatever you want and everything just opened up for her."

Advertisement

Innes was feeling satisfied with the victory, especially for the owners of Secret Allure who had also raced Dijon Bleu.

"It's pretty special as they are a neat bunch of people," he said.

"She (Secret Allure) is not very big but she's pretty gutsy.

"I think Dijon Bleu was a little bit better, but this filly is on the way up."

The victory secured Secret Allure a further six points to add to her existing four in the race for the NZB Filly of the Year title. She now sits in second place on ten points behind current series leader, Media Sensation (12).

A Shooting To Win half-brother to Secret Allure will feature as Lot 391 from the Inglewood Stud draft during Book 1 at the National Yearling Sale at Karaka that commences on January 27. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Media World Adds to Millionaire Yearling Stakes Success
Stakes racing on Saturday produced a number of stakes-winners purchased for seven figures as yearlings in Australia with $1.8million Inglis Easter sale-topper Autumn Glow leading the way in the Group I ATC Epsom after earlier success for $1million 2YO Incognito, while at Flemington $1.4million entire Media World took out the Listed VRC Paris Lane Stakes (1400m).
First Stakes Horse for Home Affairs
The Group III ATC Breeders Plate (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday attracted a strong field of talented colts from the recent official 2YO trials in Sydney and Home Affairs looks to have a quality youngster in I’m Ya Huckleberry.
Guineas Goal for Vassilator
Juvenile stakes winner Vassilator will kick-off his three-year-old season at Caulfield on Saturday when he tackles the Group III McNeil Stakes (1200m).
ZAcinto Filly Wins G3 Taranaki Breeders
A heady ride by in-form jockey Rosie Myers paved the way for Awapuni galloper Secret Allure to add further black type to a burgeoning pedigree page when she stormed home from near last to capture the Group III Rich Hill Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera.
Zacinto's Odeon Strikes in the Lord Stakes
Punters can be a forgiving lot and for those long-suffering supporters that parlayed their faith in Luvaluva at Randwick into Odeon in the Listed Ladbrokes Lord Stakes (1700m) Caulfield it was a day to savour.
Valachi Downs Announces Major Expansion Plans
Valachi Downs are significantly increasing their holdings in the thoroughbred industry.
Sires With Winners - Sunday October 5
Here is the full list of 47 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
McGaw Firms For Coolmore Stud Stakes After G2 Danehill Win
Considered an outside chance in betting markets, Emma-Lee and David Browne’s I Am Immortal gelding McGaw dented the reputation of a few leading Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes contenders with a fighting win in the $300,000 Gr2 VRC Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.
First G1 Winner for St Marks Basilica - 1.7million Filly Undefeated
The top lot at the 2025 Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale was a blueblood St Mark’s Basilica filly from blue hen Prudenzia that sold for €1.7million to MV Magnier and she became the first Group I winner for her sire when charging home to win the Group I Prix Marcel Boussac (1600m) at Longchamp.
Surprise Bart Cummings Victory Secures Valiant King Melbourne Cup Run
It’s not often you see a runner from the Chris Waller stable go around at 50/1 odds, but 6yo gelding Valiant King (GB) produced an outstanding effort to win Saturday’s $350,000 Group 3 VRC Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington, securing himself a run in this year’s $10m Gr1 VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m).