Connections of consistent sprinter Secret Flyer are hopeful a decision to miss the All Victorian Sprint Final will pay dividends in the Listed Monash Stakes.They have traded off a tilt at a $150,000 race over 1200 metres at Flemington on Saturday for this weekend's $100,000 feature at Caulfield."We could have run him last Saturday at Flemington but he struggles beyond 1100 metres down the straight," trainer Mark Young said.Renowned for his barnstorming finishes, Secret Flyer's biggest win was at

Connections of consistent sprinter Secret Flyer are hopeful a decision to miss the All Victorian Sprint Final will pay dividends in the Listed Monash Stakes.

They have traded off a tilt at a $150,000 race over 1200 metres at Flemington on Saturday for this weekend's $100,000 feature at Caulfield.

"We could have run him last Saturday at Flemington but he struggles beyond 1100 metres down the straight," trainer Mark Young said.

Renowned for his barnstorming finishes, Secret Flyer's biggest win was at Flemington in the 2009 Listed Kensington Stakes (1100m).

He has won three times at 1200 metres but his best Flemington performance over the distance was a fourth in the Group Three Standish Handicap on New Year's Day.

He was also sixth in the 2009 Group Two Salinger Stakes and ninth in the Newmarket Handicap the same year.

His record may been better had he not suffered feet and joint problems throughout his career which has comprised 10 wins from 37 starts.

"He has never been sound and that is why he hasn't had a lot of racing for a horse that is seven going on eight," Young said.

"He's never been perfect but he's won 10 races and done a good job."

Young said Secret Flyer's 1000-metre win at Caulfield two starts ago when he powered home from last to score by a half length over Morgan Dollar was an encouraging lead up to the weight-for-age Monash (1100m).

Last start he was an eye-catching fifth to Elusive Touch in an All Victorian Sprint heat (1000m) at Flemington when he covered a lot of extra ground getting from the inside rail to the outside in search of firmer going.

"He was a bit stiff in that race," Young said.

"He was on the wrong side of the track so had to go back to last and go from the inside to the outside fence to try and work his way forward."

Only 11 horses were nominated on Monday for the Monash including the Gary Portelli-trained Gold Trail, who was fourth when he resumed in the Listed Chief De Beers in Brisbane on May 28.

The Mark Kavanagh-trained Definitely Ready is on the way back from a wind operation while Lightning Stakes placegetter Warm Love, in-form Second Effort, General Truce, Stanzout, and Uxorious are also among the entries.