South African born Tony Millard beat not only the ludicrous South African quarantine restrictions but also a first outing in a local trial debut along with the 18 months since his charge Secret Command's last start. Image K Chan SCMP 

The beautifully bred and stunning looking grey star won an eye catching contest coming from last to first burst in a trial at Sha Tin yesterday. scmp writer, Michael Cox, takes up the story. 

Secret Command was victorious in his one and only start up the Kenilworth straight in late April, 2013 - and as the form around that dominant win has continued to stack up, the four-year-old missed an entire season as he bided his time waiting for quarantine clearance in Mauritius.
On debut Secret Command beat De Kock - not the trainer named Mike, but a Brett Crawford-trained colt who was subsequently victorious at Group Two level over a mile, and has been the winner of three from seven overall, including a success over 1,000m less than three weeks ago. Secret Command showed brilliance from the gate to lead in Cape Town, and then toughness to out stay De Kock to prevail by a length and three quarters, with more than six lengths to the third horse in a 17 runner field.
By proven speed sire Captain Al, Secret Command boasts some impressive bloodlines; he is out of a sprinter that won multiple Group races and has a younger full-sister, All Is Secret, who has won three Group Ones.
Now that he is with Millard, the trainer is in no rush to get the four-year-old to the races. He arrived in February and after being gelded in May, trialled quietly in June. Secret Command has now steadily improved in each of his trials since; he was felt for but responded well when second at the pre-season carnival and was impressive in yesterday's swooping effort.