Secret Spirit's stakes-winning sequence is set to continue in Saturday's Listed Harold Plumley Junior Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie, says Matamata jockey Craig Grylls.
Grylls has been aboard the Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Swiss Ace filly for each of her last four wins, which have all come at stakes level in the Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes at Ellerslie, the Listed Ryder Stakes at Otaki, the Listed O'Leary Fillies Stakes at Wanganui and the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie.
The Challenge No.2 Syndicate-raced Secret Spirit will bid to extend her winning streak in the Soliloquy Stakes and Grylls believes she's well capable of keeping the run going."She's doing everything right at the moment," he said.
"I rode her in her gallop on Tuesday and she went well. We've come up with a good draw [barrier two] and that's good, especially with the rail being out on Saturday."There is rain forecast, but if it doesn't come, then that's one possible concern - how she will go on a better track - but Lance, Scottie and myself reckon she'll be all right on better ground too.
"She's done everything right so far so hopefully she can carry on her winning way."TAB bookmakers have opened Secret Spirit as a $2.80 favourite for the Soliloquy Stakes, ahead of Maritimo at $4 and No More Tears at $6.
"It's a good field, but it was a good field she beat last time too and that was against the boys as well," Grylls said."She's just got the fillies against her this week and I'm confident. She's definitely on track for another win."
Grylls has a handy book of rides for Ellerslie, with resuming Group One winner Sakhee's Solider his mount in the Pandoro Panetteria 1400, and the Stephen Marsh pair of Cursive and the trials-placed On The Move among his leading chances.Grylls will also take a handful of rides at Te Awamutu on Friday, among them the O'Sullivan-Scott-trained Orange Peel, while the Lee Somervell-trained Stradivarius heads his Te Rapa book of rides on Monday in the feature Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes.
