HOLLIE DOYLE had her first ride for Solario Racing yesterday aboard Dancinginthewoods at Leicester and she made it a winning ride for the syndicate owners, Solario Racing (Ashridge).
Eight went to post for the 0-80 Kube Events Centre At Leicester Racecourse Handicap and the son of Garswood was running off a mark of 78, having been dropped 2lbs after his seasonal reappearance at Doncaster.
Adam Kirby who rode him that day over seven furlongs, suggested dropping him back to six, the distance over which he won on his debut as a 2yo at Newmarket. This was good advice from Adam, who ended up riding the “wrong” horse as unfortunately for him, he was runner-up on Able Kane!
The plan was to get some cover during the first half of the race when the horses are travelling downhill and then to make a move as the ground rises during the business end of the race and drop him almost on the line.
Hollie followed the instructions perfectly and took it up inside the final furlong to win staying on by half a length. She admitted she may have got there a little soon but no matter, the well supported 3/1 second favourite always looked the likely winner inside the distance and the best horse in the race won.
Solario Racing now has options with the horse as although his two wins have come over six, he definitely stays seven as he was narrowly beaten over that trip at Newmarket last year.
It was great for the yard to get off the mark for the year, obviously a lot later than everyone in the stable would have liked. The turf flat season has moved up a gear and Harper Lodge Farm, although it has a smaller string than in recent seasons, due to the retirement of some of the older stars, does have some nice horses to run during the coming weeks and months.