The Wertheimer brothers' homebred Solow (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) is reported by trainer Freddy Head to be in good shape as he puts in his final preparations for a title defense of the G1 Dubai Turf Mar. 26.
The 6-year-old gelding warmed up for that $6 million contest with a victory in a mile Chantilly conditions race Mar. 3–his first outing since winning the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on British Champions Day Oct. 17–and trainer Freddy Head said Wednesday Solow exited that 1 1/2-length score in good shape.
“He's come out of the race very well,” Head said. “The horse showed in the race that he was well. It's all systems go for Dubai. As for the opposition, we will have to see.”
That opposition is expected to include Godolphin's Tryster (Shamardal), the eye-catching winner of Meydan's G1 Jebel Hatta S. and G1 Dubai Millennium S. this season. Solow rides a 10-race win streak–including five Group 1s–into the Dubai Turf, having not tasted defeat since May of 2014.
Another defending winner reported to be in fine fettle by his conditioner is last year's G1 Al Quoz Sprint victor Sole Power (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), who finished a close third on seasonal debut in Meydan's G3 Meydan Sprint Mar. 5.
“He's fine, there's not a bother on him,” said trainer Eddie Lynam of the 9-year-old gelding. “He showed at the weekend he's still got plenty left, which was great to see.”
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