Racing: Vasil reveals secret to punters

MELBOURNE - Trainer Tony Vasil has described 6-year-old Lucky Secret as an underrated sprinter more than capable of mixing it with the best in Friday night's Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Former champion sprinter Apache Cat will carry the No 1 saddlecloth, but emerging stars Nicconi, Mic Mac, Swift Alliance, Golden Slipper Stakes winner Phelan Ready and Wanted will ensure a hot contest.

"It is a very strong field but I think he's right up to them and if it rains it will only enhance his chances because he loves the soft and he loves the Valley," Vasil said.

Lucky Secret, the $5 third favourite with TAB Sportsbet, is backing up after winning last Saturday's Listed Starlight Stakes at Rosehill and success in the Manikato would take his earnings above A$1 million.

He will be ridden by Hong Kong-based jockey Brett Prebble in place of suspended rider Nash Rawiller.

Prebble is competing in an international jockeys' series on the night and Vasil rates him a 10-length better rider that when he won consecutive Melbourne premierships in 2000 and 2001.

"He is world class," Vasil said.

He believes that Lucky Secret would have made it an "interesting" contest with Manikato $4 favourite Nicconi who won the McEwen Stakes (1000m) at the Valley on September 12.

David Hayes declared Nicconi the best sprinter he had trained after the win but the hard track delayed the start of Lucky Secret's spring campaign.

"If we had contested that race on a surface that suited us it would have been interesting," Vasil said.

"He [Lucky Secret] is a horse who makes his own luck and is underrated.

"He has won 12 of his 19 starts but he probably should have won 15 of 19.

"On at least three occasions he was beaten because of pilot error."

Vasil said the Oakleigh Plate was the group one that got away from Lucky Secret with Swiss Ace snatching victory from him in the last stride.

Vasil said Lucky Secret was tough and underlined his courage when he resumed with 60kg in the Starlight Stakes. "To do what he did with that weight was a really huge effort.

"He looked like he was going to run second and then in the last 50m he just grew wings. He has come through the race well and backing up won't be a problem for him."

Vasil has given Lucky Secret an easy week and yesterday put him under saddle for the first time since Saturday.

- AAP