Trainer Mick Nolan has been around racehorses the majority of his life.
He has had a couple of stints as a trainer while also working as foreman, come assistant trainer, for some of the biggest stables in Australia.
Nolan is a realist and doesn’t want to start dreaming big, despite Stylish Secret taking out the Victoria Derby Preview (1800m) at Flemington on Sunday.
Ridden by Luke Nolen, Stylish Secret ($5.50 in betting) scored a short neck win from Kingofwallstreet ($31) with Politely Dun ($7) the same margin away third.
Nolan said he would celebrate Sunday’s victory before deciding where to head with Stylish Secret.
“He is the toughest little horse and the smartest little horse that I have had to do with in all my life,” Nolan said.
“This is his first prep. He’s 15.2 hands high, weighs 420 kilos and he’s at his fifth start. It’s amazing what he has done.
“Jeff Hogg is in him, and he used to captain Richmond. I told them (all the owners) early on that he (Stylish Secret) reminds me of Tommy Hafey, he’s just so tough.”
Nolan said Stylish Secret showed him signs early on in his preparation that he was something special.
Stylish Secret was produced at the jump-outs after being in his stable for four weeks and was at the races two weeks later.
The three-year-old broke through for his maiden win at Sandown last month before finishing second behind Evaporate at Moonee Valley on September 7.
“I was going to spell him after Sandown. I was going to spell him after Moonee Valley, but I let him out in his paddock, and he nearly kicked my head off,” Nolen said.
“We’ll let him tell us what we do, but I tell you what will be happening, we’ll be having a beer.”
Nolen said Stylish Secret was there to be beaten during the run but produced a fight like a good horse.
“I still think he will be a better horse in the autumn,” Nolen said.
“He was there to be beaten today, but he kept on digging in.”
