Improving three-year-old pacer No Spring Secrets gave his harness racing trainer Steve Lukac sleepless nights as a two-year-old owing to the gelding's race manners and hypertensive mannerisms.
But Lukac's patience and astute training methods have ironed out the creases in the horse's make-up and in Hobart last night he delivered arguably his best win.
However, with few suitable races left for him in Tasmania this season, Lukac confirmed negotiations were under way to send No Spring Secrets to the James Rattray stable in NSW.
"He isn't eligible for the Globe Derby (Tasmania 3YO Sires Stakes) because he is Queensland bred so I have suggested to the owners that the horse be sent to James Rattray because he would be very competitive in that state and James is a very good horseman," Lukac said.
But when Ford allowed him more rein he quickly strolled to the front entering the home straight the first time.
The Tell All gelding reeled off a modest first half but Ford let him rip in the home straight the last time to record a mile rate of 1.57.91 with a last half (800m) in 57.29 seconds.
No Spring Secrets has won half of his 10 career starts and four of his victories have come this season.
Ford said No Spring Secrets was improving with each run.
"The horse is still learning but he's definitely getting stronger and he improves with every run," Ford said.
"He is still a bit of a work in progress but I like the horse and I think he has a really bright future," he said.
Peter Staples
