Owner David Moodie has revealed that talented filly Solicit is no certainty to run in the Group 1 Australian Oaks during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and may be saved for a tilt at the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2400m) at Morphettville on April 26.
Solicit has scored two impressive wins this preparation, but is no certainty to contest the Australia Oaks during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Solicit was unable to breakthrough for a maiden win at Group level during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, but she has been in excellent form since returning from a stint in the spelling paddock; taking out the Group 3 The Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on February 15 and the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1400m) at the same venue on March 8.
The daughter of Street Cry is currently on the third line of Australian Oaks betting markets, behind Rising Romance and Zanbagh, but Moodie told Sky Racing HQ this morning that she is no certainty to contest the Group 1 event .
“As much as I am almost convinced that she is as good a horse as I have had anything to do with, I’m also sure that she is still a preparation or a year away,” Moodie said.
“The mother and her half-sister Star Of Giselle didn’t perform until they were five.
“This filly mentally does a few things wrong and there is a temptation to look after her and leave her here and culminate with the Australasian Oaks, which is probably going to be a lesser option than the Sydney Oaks.
“Knowing this filly and having an understanding of her ability and knowing that she is still doing a few things wrong; there is a lot of logic in holding her back and taking the lesser option, which I guess is what we did when we elected not to run in the Australian Guineas and waited for the Kewney.”
Although Moodie believes that Solicit still has plenty of maturing to do, he has been happy with the improvement that she has made during her autumn preparation.
Solicit did plenty wrong, despite finishing in the placings, in races like the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m), Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) during the spring, but Moodie believes she is slowly starting to get a better understanding of racing.
“She has now taken the next step from the spring, which we were always looking for,” Moodie said.
“She wouldn’t get on right leg and she didn’t have the smarts that she needed to be winning those races.
“She has gone out, had a break and taken that next step, but there is still a couple more to go.”
