IF there was ever a case of perseverance paying off, then the victory of Vera’s Secret, a daughter of Epaulette (Commands), in the Group 3 Al Ahira’aa Racing Mutamakina Stakes at Leopardstown is a real case in point.

Homebred by a neighbour of mine, Jim Browne at Kilnamoragh Stud in Donadea, the six-year-old was making just the eighth start of her career for trainer John Feane. She did not race until four, and there was plenty of talk in advance of her September debut over nine furlongs at Punchestown, but she was headed in the final strides of that maiden by the talented, and recent Punchestown Festival winner, Casheldale Lad.