Riva De Lago has booked his place in the Epsom Handicap after winning the Sebring Sprint at Rosehill Gardens.
The Chris Waller trained galloper settled midfield and appreciated the solid tempo set by Rain Affair before surging down the middle of the track to gun down Solzenhitsyn with Your Honour running on for third.
Riva De Lago was strongly supported first-up when eighth behind Rebel Dane and again firmed from $15 to $13 in the betting ring today.
“It was a tough race that day at Warwick Farm, I was hoping it would be a good form race, it was close to a G1 field, he was there but looked like he needed further, he got the right race today,” Waller said.
“We were concerned with Rain Affair being in the race, but you can’t worry about that too much, only worry about your horse, it was a beautiful Jim Cassidy ride.
“He is nominated for the Epsom and on the way he raced today he could get a mile, if not he will run a very good race, today was a Group 2 win, he deserves a chance at a handicap Group 1.”
Winning the Sebring Sprint makes Riva De Lago exempt from ballot for the Epsom Handicap.
“He was only beaten a couple of lengths behind Rebel Dane at Warwick Farm and I thought he was a big improver, I was just a bit worried about how the track was playing but 600m from home I was going half pace,” Cassidy said.
“He let down good today, he will improve off that, he is still a little big, I wouldn’t be scared to take him to the Epsom, I would be going there for sure. No weight on his back and he has more to come fitness wise.”
Rain Affair drifted from $2 to $2.60 on course and wilted in the straight to finish sixth. Trainer Joe Pride indicated after the race that he is likely to be sent for a spell.
“He rated himself really well today, I had a lovely time in front, I didn’t have much trouble with how quick we were going, he paced himself beautifully,” said jockey Glyn Schofield.
“When I wanted him to stretch out and give the race a test I had no horse underneath me, maybe his last couple of efforts have taken their toll.”
Jason Collett was pleased with the effort of Solzenhitsyn, who battled strongly for second.
“It was a nice run, probably did a wee bit much up on the speed but that is where we landed, in the end it was a lighter weighted runner that got the better of us,” he said.
“He is a grinder, he doesn’t have a turn of foot, I had to ask him 500m out, earlier than I really wanted too, that is just him, he doesn’t have a sprint.”
– Racing Network
