Queen Of The Turf Stakes fancy Solicit will undergo a veterinary examination today after developing a skin rash overnight.
Solicit will undergo a vet's examination after developing a skin rash. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The Melbourne filly is rated a $6 chance with Ladbrokes.com.au in the Group 1 $1m Cellarbrations Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Co-trainer Mathew Ellerton informed Racing New South Wales stewards this morning that Solicit was found to have a skin condition after her rug was removed and chief steward Ray Murrihy quickly made arrangement for his senior veterinary surgeon Craig Suann to inspect the Street Cry filly.
“Mathew Ellerton has reported to me that he was worried about a skin condition he discovered when he pulled the rug off the filly this morning,” Murrihy said.
“He has brought it to our attention and we’ll know more later in the day.”
Solicit, trained in partnership by Ellerton and Simon Zahra, was originally heading towards the Group 1 $1m Seven News Australian Oaks (2400m) on Saturday but owner David Moodie didn’t want to start his filly over 2400m on a rain affected track.
“She’s not running on a heavy track over a mile and a half,” Moodie told TVN.
“Back to a mile shouldn’t be an issue for her.
“She’ll be tough at the mile, that’s her.”
Solicit brought her good Melbourne form to Sydney for the Autumn Carnival and set the pace before being run down by Lucia Valentina in the Group 1 $400,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on April 5 on a heavy 8 track.
With the rain starting to clear around Sydney, Randwick track manager Nevesh Rhamdani is predicting the track could come back to the slow range for Saturday if it gets enough sunshine over the next couple of days.
A wet track won’t bother Chris Waller’s two mares Catkins and Red Tracer who have both got outstanding wet track records.
Catkins was made $2.80 clear cut favourite for the Queen Of The Turf Stakes after winning the Group 2 $175,000 Ascend Sales Trophies Emancipation Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 5 on a heavy 8.
And Red Tracer is the second pick at $4 with Waller confident that the two time Group 1 winner can bounce back from an uncharacteristic performance when tenth behind Gordon Lord Byron in the Group 1 $1m George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 29.
The field for Queen Of The Turf Stakes has already been reduced to nine runners following the scratching of Sharnee Rose who has been retired after pulling up lame at track work this morning.
