Apprentice Brenton Avdulla claimed his first Group One on Secret Admirer in the Flight Stakes, and in the process delayed Gai Waterhouse's century celebrations.Secret Admirer ($17) produced a barnstorming last-to-first finish to swamp the Waterhouse-trained More Strawberries ($3 fav) in the final few bounds of Saturday's 1600m fillies feature at Randwick.The Grahame Begg-trained three-year-old arrived just in time to win by a short neck with Parables ($3.10) a further three-quarters of a length
Apprentice Brenton Avdulla claimed his first Group One on Secret Admirer in the Flight Stakes, and in the process delayed Gai Waterhouse's century celebrations.
Secret Admirer ($17) produced a barnstorming last-to-first finish to swamp the Waterhouse-trained More Strawberries ($3 fav) in the final few bounds of Saturday's 1600m fillies feature at Randwick.
The Grahame Begg-trained three-year-old arrived just in time to win by a short neck with Parables ($3.10) a further three-quarters of a length away in third.
"I still can't believe it's happened," 19-year-old Avdulla said.
"Only 12 months ago I was still claiming three (kilograms) and had just moved to Sydney.
"If it wasn't for Grahame Begg I'd probably be back in Melbourne. Just his support in any type of race, whether it's a maiden at Wyong or these big races, he's always been there for me."
Both Avdulla and Begg went into the Flight confident Secret Admirer had the finishing power to topple the likes of More Strawberries and Parables who had dominated the opening three legs of the Princess Series.
It was an outstanding performance at just her fourth race start, coming just over a month after being beaten in a mid weeker at Canterbury on debut.
"When she ran in her first start in a race we always knew she had a lot ability and she's just kept taking the next step and going to the next level," Avdulla said.
"I don't think she can go any further than winning a Group One so I'm just rapt for Grahame, I'm rapt for the horse, and I'm pretty happy for myself."
Furious Stakes and Tea Rose Stakes winner More Strawberries didn't get her own way in front in the Flight as Slow The Flow and Heartsareforlove went forward to take up the running.
Nash Rawiller had More Strawberries in third as Avdulla was back last on Secret Admirer.
Topping the rise Rawiller went for home on More Strawberries and looked likely to give Waterhouse her 100th Group One triumph, but Secret Admirer unleashed a devastating final sectional to reel in the favourite.
"This is a really good filly because all she does is hit the line hard," Begg said.
"She's had a fabulous week at home and gave us the indication we were in the right place today.
"She'll go to the paddock now for a well-deserved break and come back in the autumn bigger and better."
While Waterhouse was narrowly denied in her first attempt to reach the milestone, the trainer was delighted with More Strawberries' effort.
"I couldn't be more pleased with her, she did a great job," Waterhouse said.
"She'll go for a spell now while the other filly (seventh-placed Zutara) will go to the Wakeful Stakes."