Solicit To Revive Her Career
- Sunday, 19 April 2015 08:04
Just a few weeks ago it seemed Group One-placed mare Solicit's next port of call would be the breeding barn.
The four-year-old was eased out of the Group Three Aspiration Quality on March 7, officially last, 47 lengths from the winner.
But after a winning barrier trial 10 days later and a couple of weeks on a water walker, the mare's fitness and attitude have put retirement plans on hold for the time being.
Trainer Gerald Ryan plans to start her in the Group Three Darley Crown on May 2 at Hawkesbury where she will be joined by stablemates Peace Force and Estonian Princess.
"She won her trial and has done very well since with a couple of weeks on the water walker," Ryan said.
"We would just like to win a race with her. Peace Force and Estonian Princess are also likely to go to the Darley Crown and depending on how they go, all three could go to Brisbane for the winter carnival."
Solicit is a dual Group winner and her placings include a third behind Kirramosa in the 2014 VRC Oaks and second to Lucia Valentina in last year's Vinery Stud Stakes.
Owner David Moodie transferred her from Mat Ellerton and Simon Zahra in Melbourne in the hope a change of scenery could switch her on.
At her first start for Ryan, she ran a solid fourth in the Group Three Guy Walter Stakes on February 28 before her Randwick failure a week later.
Estonian Princess, winner of the J H B Carr Stakes a year ago for trainer Scott Aspery, came to Ryan after a change of ownership.
"Rosemont Stud bought into her and she has had two trials for me and is pleasing me with her work," Ryan said.
Peace Force has not raced since her short head second in the Bell Of The Turf at Gosford in January.
The Hawkesbury Saturday meeting will coincide with the opening of the Rosehill trainer's satellite stable next to the course.
"There was a bit of a hold-up with tradesmen still to complete some of the finishing touches but we expect to be operational on Monday week," Ryan said.
