Waratah’s Secret confirmed his status as one of the finest gallopers in Western Australia with a stunning victory in Saturday’s G3 Scahill Stakes (1400m) at Ascot.  The son of Mungrup Stud sire Oratorio (Aus) made amends for an unlucky fourth at his most recent outing in the G2 Winterbottom Stakes.

Waratah’s Secret (4g Oratorio – Blissfully by Zabeel) controlled the Scahill Stakes on the speed and kicked clear for a two length win over Winterbottom winner Hadabeclorka and Elliotto.  He has now won 8 races in 14 starts and earned almost $460,000.

Trainer David Harrison was looking forward to a bright future with his stable star instead of wondering what might have been in the $750,000 Winterbottom.  “That’s racing.  Sometimes you get the luck and sometimes your don’t,” Harrison reported.  “You’ve got to take the good with the bad.”

Harrison purchased Waratah’s Secret for $43,000 at the 2008 Perth Magic Millions from Mungrup Stud.  His dam Blissfully is a half sister to the Listed Red Roses Stakes winner Perfect Evening.

He is from the first crop of Oratorio (Stravinsky) whose stud career has taken off with 33 winners of 79 races.  Mungrup owner Gray Williamson increased his stud fee to $33,000 (inc gst) this year which is more than double any other stallion residing in the Sunspeed State.

There are 46 Oratorio (Aus) yearlings catalogued for February’s Perth Magic Millions.