Private Eye brother Secret Spy set for long-awaited debut

It’s been 18 months of frustration and well-worn patience, and at times he’s threatened to be the “Spy” who would never come in from the cold, but finally exciting four-year-old Secret Spy is set to make his debut.

And it’s somewhat fitting his long-awaited arrival comes right in the heart of summer, given he’s a hot prospect for Gosford-based trainer Greg McFarlane.

More importantly, though, he’s by tough-as-teak Group 1-winning miler Al Maher and out of Confidential Queen, making Secret Spy a full brother to multiple Group 1 winner and 2022 Everest runner-up Private Eye.

Despite being an acceptor for the Taree meeting on Tuesday as well, connections were very much aiming at the stronger Muswellbrook card in a Maiden Hcp over 900m.

Ironically, the ’brook is where Secret Spy first showed his potential, winning a trial in good time way back in early spring of 2021, despite doing plenty wrong in the run.

But not long after it was seemingly one setback after the next, with little injuries on and off the track constantly pushing his first campaign back.

Yet McFarlane and his merry band of owners – including Mark “Boo Boo” Williams who has invested plenty in the provincial scene – kept the faith, knowing what sort of motor this gangly type had under the bonnet.

Then finally after spending virtually all of 2022 nursing him back to full health, Secret Spy responded as if to say “now I’m ready”.

He blitzed his opposition by more than four lengths in a one-off trial at Wyong 18 days ago, running one of the quickest times of the morning for his last 600m.