Thescretadversary pictured winning the Gr 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot (Picture: Sky Sports Racing)
The well below par run of the Thesecretadversary in the Gr 1 Prix De La Foret over seven furlongs on Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe day at Longchamp was the smart colt’s first run since being sold by his breeders and owners, Gaynor Rupert and the John Magnier family, to Sam Sangster, son of the legendary Robert Sangster.
Thesecretadversary started 9/4 favourite, a false price considering his two best performances, when winning the Gr 3 Jersey Stakes over seven furlongs at the Royal Ascot meeting and when winning the Gr 1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville over seven furlongs, were both down the straight. He ran from the front in both of those big wins and in the Jean Prat he also had the advantage of the rail.
The question ahead of Sunday was how was his race going to pan out from a wide draw of five in a field of eight around the turn?
This was especially considering the second and third finishers in the Jean Prat, True Love and Nighttime, who were beaten by a narrow 0,5 lengths and 0,75 lengths respectively, were now drawn three and one respectively in the Prix De La Foret.
Thesecretadversary had enjoyed galloping resolutely down the straight without cover and it was soon clear on Sunday that he did not enjoy being held back by Christophe Soumillon and did not enjoy being in behind horses.
He began pulling and throwing his head up and his chances were soon gone.
The form of the Jean Prat stood up as True Love and Nighttime finished first and second, separated by a head.
However, Thesecretadversary was beaten 6,75 lengths.
He will bounce back when going down the straight again or when well drawn around the bend, while the tactic in future will likely be to try and get the lead or into a prominent position handy even if he is widely drawn. There are some horses who prefer running without cover as they enjoy using their actions and he looks to be one of them.
Sam Sangster was excited about the St Mark’s Basilica colt ahead of the Prix De La Foret and his sentiments about the purchase can be read in the following article:
Click here to read Sam Sangster’s sentiments after buying Thesecreadversary
