Queen Of The Turf Rather Than Australian Oaks For Solicit

Owner David Moodie has revealed that talented filly Solicit is likely to contest the 2014 Queen Of The Turf Stakes rather than the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick this weekend.

Solicit is set to drop back to a mile to contest the 2014 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Solicit is set to drop back to a mile to contest the 2014 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Solicit looked as though she was well on track for the Australian Oaks after finishing an impressive second in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5, but Moodie told TVN that he is concerned about running the daughter of Street Cry over 2400 metres on a wet track.

“She’s not running on a heavy track over a mile and a half,” Moodie said.

“At this stage, I’d say she’d run in the Queen of the Turf.

“Back to a mile shouldn’t be an issue for her.

“She’ll be tough at the mile, that’s her.”

Another talented filly that is set to run in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes this weekend is John O’Shea-trained Gypsy Diamond, who finished fourth behind third placegetter Solicit in the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2400m) during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival.

Gypsy Diamond started her autumn preparation with a promising second place finish behind Sweet Idea in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 21 and she produced strong closing sectionals in the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on March 8.

The Not A Single Doubt filly was far from disgraced when ninth behind Steps In Time in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22, after being blocked for a run in the final stages of the race, and she returned to the winner’s stall with an impressive two lengths win on a heavy track in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick last Saturday.

O’Shea was thrilled with the brave performance of Gypsy Diamond in the Carbine Club Stakes and believes that she has reached peak form ahead of the Queen Of The Turf Stakes this weekend.

“Her run in the Coolmore was good and the form out of the race has been great,” O’Shea said.

“She’s right at the top of her game now.”

Catkins ($3.30) is currently a narrow favourite in 2014 Queen Of The Turf Stakes betting markets from stablemate Red Tracer ($3.80), Solicit ($7) and Gypsy Diamond ($9).

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.