Queenslander Swiss Ace gave Caloundra jockey Ken Pope the racing day of his life with an upset win the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.After being headed by Lucky Secret halfway up the straight the Secret Savings entire, who cost just $6,000, rallied under Pope's vigorous riding to pocket $240,000 for his connections in Saturday's Group One sprint.Swiss Ace could only finish seventh in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington at his previous start but speared across from the outside barrier in the field o
Queenslander Swiss Ace gave Caloundra jockey Ken Pope the racing day of his life with an upset win the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.
After being headed by Lucky Secret halfway up the straight the Secret Savings entire, who cost just $6,000, rallied under Pope's vigorous riding to pocket $240,000 for his connections in Saturday's Group One sprint.
Swiss Ace could only finish seventh in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington at his previous start but speared across from the outside barrier in the field of 18 to give Pope his first Group One win.
Trained on the Sunshine Coast by Mick Mair, Swiss Ace ($31) beat Lucky Secret ($12) by a short head while Typhoon Zed ($15) was only a long neck away third.
The first three placegetters drew the outside three barriers, with Lucky Secret in 16 and Typhoon in 17, debunking the theory that inside barriers are an advantage in the Oakleigh Plate.
Pope said his plan was to save Swiss Ace for a last burst at the finish line and it came off as Lucky Secret just failed to sustain his effort.
"This is the most fantastic feeling I have had in racing," said 38-year-old Pope.
Pope started his riding career in outback Charleville before moving to Chinchilla and later Toowoomba where he won the jockeys' premiership.
For the past 10 years he has been the stable rider for Mair who has been training for more than 40 years.
Pope's previous biggest win was Group Two Sir Byrne Hart (1200m) on Swiss Ace in April last year.
"I don't chase fame or the big dollars," Pope said.
"Caloundra is where I enjoy life the most and I'm happy to poke along and snag one of these horses once in a lifetime."
Owner Darryl Rogers waited all day at a Brisbane bloodstock sale to buy Swiss Ace for $6,000 and he has now won 10 of his 15 starts and more than $650,000.
"I thought he would be dearer than he was as he comes from one of the best broodmare families in the world and he showed it today," Rogers said.
Swiss Ace's dam Rapid Serve, by Carson City, and his grand-dam Tennis Partner, by Northern Dancer, were both unraced but the family is saturated with black type.
International Group One winners include Newmarket Middle Park Stakes winner Formidable, Dewhurst Stakes and July Cup winner Ajdal and Oaklawn Fantasy Stakes winner Flying Partner.
Rogers has a liking for Secret Savings as a sire and recently bought a filly by him for $2,500 at the Brisbane sale and a Secret Savings weanling filly last year.
Danny Brereton said he thought Lucky Secret was going to win at the 100 metres but Swiss Ace was too good on the day.
"He hit the front but the other horse just came back at us," Brereton said.
"He ran great but it was unlucky secret today."
Favourite and Lightning Stakes winner Scenic Blast ($4.80) got caught in traffic while three-year-old Wilander was a fading seventh and will now be spelled.