Dual Group 1 winner Solzhenitsyn has run his last start after finishing at the tail of the field in the Group 3 $125,000 Darley BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben last Saturday.
Robert Heathcote has announced retirement plans for Solzhenitsyn. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Trainer Robert Heathcote reported that Solzhenitsyn had sustained an injury to his near fore leg and announced his retirement on Sunday.
“He has a near fore fetlock injury and the vet said it’s more than likely a lower suspensory,” Heathcote told The Courier-Mail.
“It was a bit sad on Saturday night, but really, we have nothing to be sad about. He won two Group 1 races and over $1 million.”
Solzhenitsyn won back to back Group 1 $400,000 Toorak Handicaps (1600m) at Caulfield during the Springs of 2012 and 2013 but has failed at his last four runs.
The seven year old resumed this campaign with a sixth to Temple Of Boom in the Group 2 $175,000 Greenslopes Private Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on April 26 before his finale last Saturday in the BRC Sprint.
Solzhenitsyn retired with earnings of over $1 million from thirteen wins from thirty-eight starts.
BRC Sprint winner River Lad will now push on to the Group 1 $1.36m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 7 with trainer Natalie McCall expecting further improvement from the six year old.
“He is six year old but I think he is still improving and like I said I think this will be his best prep,” McCall said.
“He has kept improving every time we’ve brought him in, his form says that.”
“Hopefully we get into the Stradbroke with a light weight and that’s his hope.”
“The Stradbroke will definitely be his next run.”
