Connections of Secret Flyer are in line for a bonus should the five-year-old win the Group One Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.On Wednesday, managing owner Anthony Mithen bought the gelding's yearling half-sister by Bel Esprit for $25,000 at the Melbourne Premier Sale.Mithen said the filly, who he purchased in the name of his Rosemont Stud, was a nice type with good broodmare potential and all he needs now is for Secret Flyer to give the family a timely boost.By Secret Savings, Secret Flyer cos

Connections of Secret Flyer are in line for a bonus should the five-year-old win the Group One Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.

On Wednesday, managing owner Anthony Mithen bought the gelding's yearling half-sister by Bel Esprit for $25,000 at the Melbourne Premier Sale.

Mithen said the filly, who he purchased in the name of his Rosemont Stud, was a nice type with good broodmare potential and all he needs now is for Secret Flyer to give the family a timely boost.

By Secret Savings, Secret Flyer cost $29,000 as a yearling but was plagued with feet problems early in his career.

For trainer Mark Young it has been a rewarding journey to see the emergence of Secret Flyer as a genuine Newmarket Handicap threat after his career got off to such a slow start.

"He had laminitis early on and he was really weak and would train off really quickly," Young said.

"He has taken a lot of work, a lot of time, and we have been really patient with him.

"It doesn't happen a lot but he is one horse who has really improved late in life."

Secret Flyer has won seven of his 17 starts and is chasing his fourth win in a row in the Newmarket, progressing from an 82 class handicap win at Moonee Valley three starts ago on December 27.

At his next start he was dominant in winning the Listed Kensington Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on January 17 and last start was close to record time when winning by four lengths, again at the Valley.

Dwayne Dunn rode Secret Flyer at Flemington and eagerly accepted the opportunity to again partner the gelding who is one of the best-backed runners in the Newmarket.

As much as $151 was offered but TAB Sportsbet on Thursday had him $7.50 equal favourite with star three-year-old Northern Meteor.

"This is his first crack at the elite level but he is going good enough to have a go," Young said.

"You really have to give him his chance because if he wins a Group One there is a lot of upside with them now owning the half-sister."

Young said Secret Flyer had thrived in his work and had galloped strongly at Colac on Tuesday morning.

"His work the last three months has been perfect," Young said.

Young has had Group One runners before but success at the top level has so far eluded him.

While training in Geelong in the 1990s, Young always had a good horse in his stable but he moved to Colac six years ago and with home-bred gallopers was unable to make an impact.

Young said he has rebuilt his team and now trains 20 horses, more than half of them two-year-olds.

Secret Flyer has got into the Newmarket with only 52.5kg and Young believes the brilliant turn of foot the horse has developed with an improved action in the last six months could be the weapon to get him over the line in the testing straight-track sprint.

"He is different horse now," Young said.

"He's can quicken very quickly, I am confident he will run well and run to his best."