Solicit’s ATC Oaks campaign remains on track despite the filly’s defeat at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Solicit won her first two autumn runs in strong fashion but finished fourth as odds-on favourite in the Listed Alexandra Stakes won by Marianne.
Co-trainer Mathew Ellerton said circumstances were against Solicit but she did enough to justify a trip to Sydney for the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) on April 5 before the $1 million ATC Oaks a fortnight later.
“The last place we wanted to be was third on the fence,” Ellerton, who trains Solicit in partnership with Simon Zahra, said.
“As it turned it, the fence was horrible. I think she ran all right.”
Ellerton said Solicit would enjoy racing over 2000 metres in the Vinery Stud Stakes.
Damian Lane has ridden Solicit at her past three starts but connections have not booked a jockey for her next outing.
Solicit is an $8 chance in the latest Oaks market behind with Zanbagh earning outright favouritism at $3.60 following her win in Sunday’s Group Three Keith Nolan Classic at Kembla Grange.
New Zealand Derby runner-up Rising Romance is second elect at $4.60.
Rising Romance and Zanbagh will both contest the Vinery on the way to the Oaks.
Trainer Donna Logan will not bring Rising Romance across the Tasman until a couple of days before the Vinery.
The Logan-trained Habibi won the 2013 New Zealand Derby then finished third in the Vinery and fourth in the Oaks after which she was found to have a leg injury.
