Solicit has been one of several fillies that have drifted in 2013 Crown Oaks betting markets; with Kirramosa now a clear favourite for the $1 million Group 1 event at Flemington tomorrow at odds of $3.
Solicit has a chance to turn-the-tables on Kirramosa and May's Dream in the 2013 Crown Oaks at Flemington tomorrow. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Solicit opened at Crown Oaks odds of $9 but has now drifted out to a quote of $10 and there has also been little betting support for Zanbagh and Every Faith as all the money continues to come for Wakeful Stakes winner Kirramosa.
Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained Solicit promised plenty after she started her 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with back-to-back wins at Ballarat and Moonee Valley but has thus far failed to live up to her potential at Group level.
The daughter of Street Cry finished third after jumping awkwardly in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m) before producing a promising staying performance when she finished half a length behind Arabian Gold in the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.
She returned to the races at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day and finished a credible third behind Kirramosa and May’s Dream in the Wakeful Stakes but Ellerton admitted that he was slightly disappointed with the performance.
“We were probably a touch disappointed in the Wakeful,” Ellerton told RSN.
“I know that she is only lightly-raced and rushed through her distances but we were a touch disappointed.
“We thought that she had made a really good progression from Caulfield but she was found wanting from those first two.”
Solicit has been ridden close to the pace in her last two starts and three-year-old filly is one of the contenders to lead the 2013 Crown Oaks field in the early stages of the race.
Ellerton said that he will be leaving the riding tactics up to jockey Glen Boss, who is chasing his second Crown Oaks victory after winning the 1996 edition of the race with My Brightia, and believes that the position of Solicit will depend on how well she jumps from the gates.
“She has not been great away the last couple of times and it will probably depend on how she begins,” Ellerton said.
“I will leave that to Glen; he is a good distance rider and he knows what he is doing.”
Ellerton remains hopeful that Solicit can turn-the-tables on Kirramosa and May’s Dream in the Crown Oaks at Flemington tomorrow but feels as though Kirramosa will be very difficult to beat following her strong staying effort in the Wakeful Stakes.
She has come through Saturday in good order and hopefully we can bridge that gap,” Ellerton said.
“History says that when they win like that they are pretty hard to beat on the Thursday.”
