The lightly raced Secretary Miss (NZ) (Cecconi) entered the winner’s circle for the first time yesterday in the $7,000 Andrew Fage Catering F&M (1400m) at Egmont Racecourse.

The Cecconi mare was unlucky in her first two starts as a two and three-year-old but has shown her maturity when resuming to racing two weeks ago where she redeemed herself finishing in third place for trainers Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie.

“She showed quite a bit of ability at two when she won her first trial,” commented co-trainer Steven Ramsay. “We ran her on a wet track and then gave her some time to strength up.

“She ran a nice third fresh up this season at Taranaki over 1200m and she hit the line nicely and got up to 1400m yesterday and that extra 200m was to her liking.”

Secretary Miss had a steady trip as Matthew Cameron had his first ride on her and settled in the early stages behind mid-field. The four-year-old mare came out three-wide to challenge the leaders with 600m to go.

Running for home, Secretary Miss battled against Catalina De Lago (NZ) (Encosta de Lago) in a race of their own to stretch home and claim victory by a neck over Cataline De Lago. Three lengths behind was the Jewel Of The Naki (NZ) (Eighth Wonder) finishing in third place.

“Secretary Miss showed a good fight taking on the favourite which was probably travelling better than her at the corner but she stuck her head out and got to the line.

“We will find a Rating 65 race somewhere for her and go from there,” comments Ramsay.

Breaking her maiden status has earned Secretary Miss $5,075 for owners Miss Hyland, L McDonald, Pencarrow Thoroughbreds, A & L Powell and Steven Ramsay.

The daughter of Cecconi was bred by Mrs M P & P J G Syben who is out of unraced mare Gold Amber by Gold Brose and is a half-sister to Imposing Bull (Imposing) and Secretaire (Danehill), both placing in stakes races. Secretary Miss is a half-sister to Are You Devious (Captain Rio) who placed third in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Stakes.

Secretary Miss has a half-brother by Authorised out of Gold Amber entered in the 2015 Karaka Select Sale offered by Nerobella Lodge at Lot 982.