It wasn’t the Doomben Cup but connections were happy to pick up a consolation win with Solzhenitsyn today.
Solzenitsyn ($2.40) prevailed in a 600 metres arm wrestle with Transporter ($3.70) in the Carlton Mid Lord Mayor’s Cup at Doomben.
Trainer Rob Heathcote had set Solzenitsyn for the Doomben Cup today but last week overlooked the first acceptance deadline and was forced to switch the target.
“I still believe he will run a strong 2000 metres but now we are going to freshen him up for the Stradbroke. They say you need a good miler for the Stradbroke and this horse is and this horse is certainly that,’’ Heathcote said.
“That was a good battle between two Group 1 jockeys and two good horses.
“The owners were very good about my stuff up. They didn’t give me much grief. That win will help things for sure.’’
Michael Rodd (Solzenitsyn) and Michael Cahill (Transporter) drew side by side at the start and their battle right from the start was absorbing.
Initially Cahill took Transporter to the lead with Solzenitsyn settling at his girth.
Ultimately Cahill let Solzenitsyn go to the lead and then was concerned when Rodd slowed the pace dramatically.
“Transporter is a better horse chasing but I had to go from well before the turn because Michael was able to get an easy run mid-race,’’ Cahill said.
“For a few strides early in the straight I thought I had him cove red but he fought back really well. It was no disgrace to go down to a Toorak (Handicap) winner.’’
Epic ($7), winner of his past three starts, raced bravely at his first attempt at weight-for-age.
