A rematch between Lucia Valentina and Solicit might not eventuate with connections not keen to run the Vinery Stud Stakes runner up in the Group 1 $1m ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 19 if the track is rain affected.
Solicit unlikely Australian Oaks runner if track is wet. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
With more rain expected in Sydney over the next couple of weeks, owner David Moodie said that he was not likely to start Solicit over 2400m on a heavy track and would switch her back to the shorter distances on the second day of ‘The Championships’.
The weight for age Group 1 $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) or the Group 1 $1m Cellarbrations Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) for the fillies and mares both at Randwick on April 19 are now in Moodie’s spotlight.
“We were happy with her run on Saturday, but with the increasing likelihood of rain continuing here in Sydney, we’ve decided that she would not start in the Oaks if the track is heavy,” Moodie told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“We’ve been having a good look at things and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Queen of the Turf are now very much options.”
Moodie was happy with her run on Saturday and said that the Street Cry filly has continued to thrive while in Sydney.
“She’s thrived while she’s been in Sydney and it’s certainly a nice problem to be in a position of looking at three very good races,” Moodie said.
Solicit was sent out the $6.50 equal second favourite in the Group 1 $400,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill last Saturday and Chad Schofield settled the filly in her favourite position at the head of the field but couldn’t hold off the strong finish of Lucia Valentina with Hugh Bowman sticking to the inside on the Kris Lees trained filly.
Moodie is still not convinced that Solicit can handle a staying trip even though she was placed third behind Kirramosa and Zanbagh in the Group 1 $1m Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington during the Spring.
Solicit is currently the second favourite with Ladbrokes.com.au at $4.60 behind Lucia Valentina in the Australian Oaks while she is an $11 chance in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes and is marked at $41 in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
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