Solicit notches up first win of latest campaign
Solicit has claimed the first win of her latest campaign but has been forced to run a track record to gain victory over sentimental hope Zanbagh at Randwick.
The $1.95 favourite in Saturday’s Guy Walter Stakes (1400m), Solicit led as expected but not as easily as she would have liked.
But she had plenty in the tank and raced to a one-length win over the fast-finishing Zanbagh, a dual Oaks placegetter for her late trainer after whom the race was named.
Trainer Gerald Ryan was as surprised as most to see the 1:20.34s go up as the time for the race.
“She didn’t get it all her own way but I’m as happy with her as I’ve ever been,” Ryan said.
“She’s on target for the Coolmore Classic and hopefully we can get her a Group One win.
“I knew she would be hard to run down but I was surprised at the time she did run.
“I just hope the handicapper is kind to her in the Coolmore.”
The Group One Coolmore Classic (1500m) for fillies and mares is at Rosehill in two weeks.
At the first of her three runs this preparation, Solicit finished second to Our Boy Malachi in the Expressway Stakes before running second again to star mare Winx in the Apollo Stakes.
Kerrin McEvoy said he knew Solicit was going fast but she also held herself together.
“I knew she was bowling along,” he said.
“She is a big strong brute of a mare and she has done a good job today.
“She still has to relax a bit better but she goes well at Rosehill so the Coolmore will be a nice race for her to try to get a Group One win.