Secret Wish delivers in Sires' Stakes Final

By Michael Guerin

Hayden Cullen is adamant we haven’t seen the best of Secret Wish yet.

Which means she could be an excitement machine in the back end of 2026 judging by how she won the $200,000 Magness Benrow Sires’ Stakes Final at The Park on Friday night.

The daughter of Bettor’s Wish had to be used early by Blair Orange as she and three of her rivals got involved an in early burn that saw the quartet across the track heading out of the straight.

Eventually Orange let Cath go and tracked her at the top of the straight where Secret Wish was bolting and with the passing lane at her disposal.

She needed it too as Indulge Me, who had followed her throughout, came across carts and flashed late but just missed, with Cath third as the three fillies rose to the top of their crop.

It capped a good night for the Hayden and Amanda but Hayden says many of the big names in the stable will now power down for the winter, with few Group horses to race on in coming weeks.

“This filly can go home and have a break and I think she will come back even better,” he says.

“This trip will help her grow up because before this the furthest she had been away from home was Oamaru.

“And she has physically developed, she has put on muscle since last year and she should do that again.

“So we are really looking forward to getting her back for the Nevele R series and the Oaks at the end of the year.”

The win was a wonderful reward for breeder-owner Brian West’s decades of dedication to his breed, Secret Wish being a half sister to Chase A Dream so already now a valuable broodmare before the half way stage of her three-year-old season.

But while she will improve so too will Indulge Me and Cath so the girls could have some fun battles come the end of the year.

The win also capped a special night for Orange, driving two Group 1 winners on his birthday.

“I am lucky to have so many good drives coming out of Hayden and Amanda’s barn,” said the Birthday Boy, that number not disclosed.