Gerald Ryan will be able to keep a close eye on one of the horses he believes poses the biggest threat to Solicit in the Coolmore Classic.
The Ciaran Maher-trained Azkadellia will arrive from Melbourne spend this week at Ryan’s Rosehill stable ahead of Saturday’s Group One race.
Solicit
But the two mares won’t be getting too close and personal.
“Solicit works on her own. I can’t work her with another horse because she’s too strong and can pull hard,” Ryan said.
“I’ve got a trackwork rider who handles her well.
“She has come through her last start in great order but it’s not going to be an easy race.
“Azkadellia will be a big danger. The Godolphin filly Ghisoni will also be hard to beat at the weights.
“I just hope the handicapper doesn’t give Solicit too much.
“I reckon 57 kilos would be about right with Lucia Valentina in the field.”
Solicit was placed in two Group One races as a three-year-old including the Vinery Stud Stakes when she ran second to Lucia Valentina.
Previously trained in Melbourne by Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, Solicit has been with Ryan for a year after her owner David Moodie opted to give her a change of scenery hoping it would spark a Group One win.
Her form this preparation has given Ryan hope it could come at the weekend.
She led all the way to beat Zanbagh in the Group Two Guy Walter Stakes last start after seconds to Our Boy Malachi and Cox Plate winner Winx.
“I don’t like to say that horses deserve Group One wins because many of them do,” Ryan said.
“But I would like to see her get one.”
Azkadellia comes to Sydney off a Group Three win in the Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield while Lucia Valentina will be having her first start since her creditable fifth in the Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin in December.
Singapore-based Australian Corey Brown will ride three-year-old Ghisoni who will have 50kg in the Coolmore.
