Trainer Simon Zahra believes that classy filly Solicit will be at her best in the autumn but remains confident that she is good enough to win the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Solicit is chasing her third straight win in the Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Solicit started her racing career with an uninspiring seventh in the Gold Rush (1000m) at Bendigo in March but has gone from strength-to strength since returning to the races this preparation; winning the City Of Ballarat Plate (1100m) and the Sportingbet Best Tote Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 14.
The form coming out of that race was franked when third placegetter May’s Dream came out and won the Procal Dairies Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Sunday and Zahra told Throughmedia that he believes Solicit goes into the Group 2 event this Saturday as a winning chance.
“She is a nice filly and it was a terrific win at the Valley,” Zahra said.
“We are bringing her up slowly; she is probably one preparation away from being at her best but it is a nice black type race for her.”
Solicit will be stepping up to a mile for the first time in the Edward Manifold Stakes and Zahra believes that she will need to relax during the early stages of the race to be any chance of recording her first victory at Group level.
“She has got to switch off to get the mile, it is her first time over the mile, so she will have to switch off,” Zahra said.
“She is fit enough and has done the work here.
“She has drawn ideally and hopefully she is good enough.”
Although Solicit has shown plenty of talent in her three race starts Zahra revealed that the daughter of Street Cry is an immature filly who will improve with more racing under her belt next preparation.
“We just need to space her runs – she takes a while to get over her runs it is just an immaturity thing,” Zahra said.
“I think we will see the best of her in the autumn.
“She is a quality filly in a nice even race.”
Solicit is a half-sister to Star Of Giselle who was recently retired after recording wins in the Group 3 Tesio Stakes (1600m), Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) and Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes (1600m).
