Trainer Rob Heathcote is in a dilemma whether to target to the Stradbroke Handicap or take a more conservative path in the winter with Solzhenitsyn following his victory at Doomben.
Backing up a week after his Class Six win at Doomben, Solzhenitsyn ($5) led all the way for a convincing length win over Firebolt ($5.50) in Saturday’s Group Three Lord Mayor’s Cup (1600m).
Ginga Dude ($7.50) finished third, a nose away.
Heathcote will confer with the five-year-old’s owners before making a decision on the Stradbroke but he currently favours heading to Melbourne for the Group One Emirates (1600m) at Flemington in the spring.
“A lot of people were saying this wasn’t a true weight-for-age race but it was,” Heathcote said.
“He’s proven now that he’s a weight-for-age horse but we’ll see where we go from here.
“I have already spoken to his owners who were prepared to take a conservative route during the winter. I think he’ll make a good horse in the spring for the Emirates.”
Heathcote has always had a good opinion of the son of St Petersburg since the first time he entered his stables at the start of last year after being prepared in New Zealand by Richard Otto.
“I’ve had a good opinion of this bloke for a long time. He’s a very good animal,” he said.
“I’ll probably give his next run in two weeks and then think about the Stradbroke but he’s way down in the order.
“If we don’t go to the Stradbroke he’ll probably run in the Tatt’s Mile.”
The Listed Tatt’s Mile (1600m) is at Eagle Farm on June 23.
Solzhenitsyn’s win was his fifth for Heathcote and the seventh of his 20-start career.
