Solidify has been finding his feet over middle-distances this autumn and winter, and another bold performance in Saturday’s John Young Family (2200m) at Te Rapa could be a stepping stone towards a Group One target in the spring.
The son of Redwood was a stakes-winning autumn two-year-old in last year’s Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a placing in Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) last September was the highlight of an inconsistent spring and summer.
But Team Rogerson has lifted the gelding to a new level since the beginning of April, placing over 1600m at Pukekohe before stepping up in distance with a gallant second behind Moonlight Magic in the Gr.3 Championship Stakes (2100m).
Another two placings followed at Te Rapa over 1600m and 2100m, and then Solidify ventured down to Otaki on June 8 and scored a convincing win in a 2100m Rating 75.
He stays in the same grade for Saturday’s $35,000 race, in which the TAB rates him a $3.70 favourite despite his weight rising to 61.5kg.
“I hope the market has got it right,” Rogerson said. “He looks good and has got a lot going for him.
“He’s still a bit of a work in progress. We’ve had to teach him to be a stayer and really make him as a staying horse, but I think he’s getting there now.
“He’s certainly weighted up to his best on Saturday with 61.5kg, but Bailey Rogerson knows him well, has ridden him on raceday before and will take 2kg off.”
Solidify is nominated for next month’s Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 127th Winter Cup (1600m) and is prominent in that market at $16, but Rogerson would prefer to continue racing him over longer distances.
“I think he’s on the cusp of being a really nice staying horse,” he said. “His performance this weekend will tell us where he should head. If he runs well again, he may go to the Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at Te Rapa later in the month (July 27). The Livamol Classic (Gr.1, 2040m) could be a nice target to work towards with him if we continue to be happy with his progress.”
Rogerson will also keep a close eye on his stable’s two-pronged representation in Saturday’s Sign Central 2YO (1100m) at Hastings. He has plenty of time for Grove Street, who finished fifth against talented line-ups in his first two starts earlier in the season.
Grove Street is a son of Rogerson’s multiple Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) placegetter Ferrando, whose first-crop juveniles are showing surprisingly different attributes to those of their sire.
“Grove Street’s got some good ability and is learning all the time,” Rogerson said. “He’s a typical Ferrando. They’re not really two-year-old types, and they’re looking more like stayers than sprinters, which I’ve found hard to believe.
“I think we’ve got a lot to look forward to with his progeny next season. We’ve got half a dozen of them that look really good. Zorro’s Revenge placed in the Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1600m) in the autumn, and he came back into the stable this week. We’re going to aim him at the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m), and then I think he’s a lovely prospect for the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m).
“Skymax is another one, she got home really well for fourth at Ruakaka the other day. She’ll go out for a spell now and will come back better at three.”
Rogerson also gave a favourable report on a number of his stable stars as they build fitness ahead of their spring campaigns.
“Sharp ‘N’ Smart, Just As Sharp and Domain Ace are all coming up beautifully,” he said. “I’ve been very happy with them and I think they’re all on target for the spring at this stage.”
