Ridden by Jamie Spencer, Secret Gesture cut out much of the running and was going best as they straightened off the home turn for the winning post. Passed by Windhoek after the two-furlong marker, she fought back and mastered that rival, only to be caught by winner Sheikhzayedroad with less than a furlong to run.
Sheikhzayedroad won by a neck.
Secret Gesture is trained by Ralph Beckett for Qatar Racing Ltd and Newsells Park Stud.
This frustrating near miss followed a victory for another member of the Qatar Racing team, Gaudy, who won the opening maiden race at Newcastle. Gaudy was ridden by Shane Gray and is trained by Kevin Ryan.