Michael Rodd produced one of the rides of the Brisbane winter carnival to land Solzhenitsyn a consolation winner at Doomben on Saturday.
Solzhenitsyn was being set for the Group One Doomben Cup (2000m) on Saturday but trainer Robert Heathcote missed the nominations.
Solzhenitsyn - Photo by Daniel Costello
The gelding was then entered for the Group Three Lord Mayor’s Cup (1600m) where he was sent out the $2.40 favourite despite drawing the outside alley.
Rodd and Heathcote realised they had one main rival in the race, Transporter ($3.70), who had also missed the Doomben Cup nominations.
“We decided to let him amble along early so we could see where Transporter was going. When he led we got across and were able to go to the front with him behind us,” Rodd said.
At the 600m, Michael Cahill on Transporter took off and put the pressure to Solzhenitsyn.
The two horses fought out the finish with Solzhenitsyn scoring by a short neck with Epic ($7) 1-1/4 lengths back in third.
“Robbie told me Solzhenitsyn was a strong horse and that was the way it worked out. He was really tough at the finish,” Rodd said.
Heathcote paid tribute to both Rodd and Cahill after the battle in the straight.
“It is what Group racing is all about. Two Group One jockeys and two top horses in a great fight,” he said.
Heathcote said he would now set Solzhenitsyn for the Group One Stradbroke Handicap on June 8.
“I still say he will run a strong 2000 metres but the Stradbroke is his mission now at 1400. The owners were great about missing the Doomben Cup noms and I am very pleased for them he won this race,” Heathcote said.
Cahill said Transporter confirmed his rating that he was a Group horse.
“I keep saying he can win a top race and it isn’t far away,” He said.
