Damian Lane has made the most of his first week as a senior jockey, highlighted by a city win at Caulfield on rejuvenated mare Secret Liaison.
Lane ended his apprenticeship on Monday and Secret Liaison’s success in Saturday’s Polytrack Handicap (1400m) brought up the 19-year-old jockey’s fifth win for the week – and his first in the city as a senior rider.
“The transition so far has been good,” Lane said.
Lane praised Secret Liaison’s co-trainers Mat Ellerton and Simon Zahra for their support and also for turning around the fortunes of the mare.
Secret Liaison scored a Listed win as a spring three-year-old but then went winless for a year before breaking through at Moonee Valley in November.
The four-year-old has won three of her four starts since.
“She’s loving life,” Ellerton said.
“She’s always had the ability but she went a year without winning. She won one and hasn’t looked back since.”
Secret Liaison ($7) scored by a half head over Giresun ($6.50) with Hotham Heights ($6) a head away third.