ALICIA WILLICK MAKES HER MARK

On Saturday, Alicia Willick enjoyed a training achievement of which she can be proud.

Willick, who only has eight horses in training, scored a double on the day with Tellasecret winning the second race at Doomben and Gunsari taking out the seventh race at the Gold Coast.

The timing of the races meant that Willick and her father Larry were able to be on hand to greet both winners.

There was a stark contrast in the manner in which Tellasecret and Gunsari set about achieving victory.

The former prevailed in a pulsating finish, getting the better of a stride for stride battle with Nepro under a determined ride from a revitalised Bobby El-Issa while Gunsari ran right away from his opposition to the extent that the Willicks could applaud his success long before the chestnut actually crossed the line.

“The two horses worked together on Tuesday and I thought, gee they are looking good,” said Alicia, who made the move to the Gold Coast from Taree two years ago. “Now we got the perfect result.

“We moved from Taree because it was just too far from everywhere ... just too much travelling,” explained Alicia, who has trained a double before, which also included a win by Tellasecret.

“Gold Coast was a good choice in itself, and then you’ve got Brisbane just an hour up the road. So it’s been a much better option for us.”

But just how did Alicia get into training in the first place?

Her father Larry takes up the story.

“Alicia went to school with John Tapp’s daughter and that’s where her interest in horse racing started,” said Larry.

“I actually took up training, but I hadn’t a clue ... so one day Alicia put her hand up and said, ‘How about I train and you become the foreman’ ... and that’s what happened.

“She’s taught herself you know,” continued Larry proudly. “Never worked with anybody. Never been shown the tricks of the trade. Purely self taught.”

And getting the results with only eight horses in the yard I reminded him.

“That’s the point you know. You just can’t tell in this game,” said Larry.

“Take Tellasecret for example. He is tough as teak and he is our town horse. You know how I got him? I was interested in buying a particular horse. The asking price was $20 000 and I said that was too dear.

“The fellow said he would throw in a Maiden for that price. The Maiden was Tellasecret, who has now won over $125 000.

What happened to the other horse, the original purchase.

“It broke down,” answered Larry.

“Gunsari’s another example. I bought him sight unseen off an agent I’ve got some time for,” said Larry. “Look how he won today. I know it was only a Class 3 but look how he won.

“I know we’ve been fortunate, but do you see what I mean. You just can’t tell in this game.

“The big spenders who consider every detail. Good luck to them. It doesn’t matter who you are, how big your pocket is, or what research you put into it, you just can’t predict the end result. Which means everybody has a chance.”

For the record Tellasecret has now won eight out of 46 starts, with a further 16 minor placings underlining his honesty, while Gunsari, who completed a double of his own on Saturday, has a race record of four wins from 15 starts with three minor placings.