Talented mare Solicit has justified her resounding favouritism at Royal Randwick this afternoon; leading from start to finish to win the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes.
Solicit returned to winning form in this afternoon’s Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart
Jumping from the gates well, jockey Kerrin McEvoy allowed Solicit to stride forward and immediately take a position at the fore of the field, setting a noticeably quick tempo alongside Vergara and Amicus.
Rounding onto the final straight with a clear racing line, Solicit incredibly upped the tempo more and strolled clear of her rivals; maintaining a strong enough sprint to withstand a late charge from Zanbagh and breaking the course record in the process.
Trainer Gerald Ryan was pleased with Solicit’s return to winning form in the Guy Walter Stakes and confirmed the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) will figure as her next competitive point of call.
“She’s very hard to run down and she got on a roll,” Ryan said.
“She’s been terrific. She’s only had two runs when I first got her and a breather, then two more and a breather and three runs in the spring, so you don’t know how far she can get through a preparation.
“She’s still got to step up and win a Group 1 but that’s the whole reason she’s still racing.
“She’ll got to the Coolmore then might have to back up in the (George) Ryder because it’s a month between the Coolmore and the Emancipation.”
McEvoy delivered a typically strong performance in partnering Solicit to success in the Guy Walter Stakes and is confident the mare will enjoy the Rosehill Gardens conditions in a fortnight.
“I knew she was bowling along,” McEvoy said.
“She’s a big, strong brute of a mare and she’s done a good job there today.
“The extra 100m (of the Coolmore) might be a worry but she’s won over that trip before, so she’s just got to relax that bit better.
“Rosehill, she goes well there so that’s a nice chance for her next start for sure.”
Solicit is yet to post a maiden win at the highest level but added a fifth Group-level triumph to her name with success in the Guy Walter Stakes this afternoon.
