Solar Heights bags finals day place

PA Sport Reporters
February 14, 2020 8:15 am

Chelmsford winner may run in foal on Good Friday.

Solar Heights took her Chelmsford course record to four wins in six starts as her decisive success in the tote.co.uk Fillies’ Conditions Stakes claimed a place at Lingfield’s all-weather finals day.

But James Tate’s filly has another date in her diary before Good Friday, and may run in foal in the Ladbrokes Fillies & Mares’ All-Weather Championship.

Solar Heights was sent off 4-5 favourite in Thursday evening’s fast-track qualifier – and after staying closest to front-running outsider Ruby Gates over the mile trip, PJ McDonald eased her to the front as they took command to win by two lengths from Geizy Teizy.

She is therefore guaranteed a free start at Lingfield on April 10 – but whether she takes up the engagement has yet to be decided.

Newmarket trainer Tate said: “Solar Heights is off to the covering sheds now, but there is a chance we could bring her back in foal for finals day.”

That would mean reverting to seven furlongs for the first time since her debut early last year.

Tate added: “The drop back to seven for the final does not worry me.

“I would rather drop back than go up to a mile and a quarter. The final is usually a fast-run race, and she has a bit of early speed.

“It is more of question of what calibre of opposition she will be taking on, so we will keep an eye on that, see how the covering goes and then think about the final.

“No decision has been made about the stallion she will visit. We are still arguing about it!”

McDonald, who went on to ride a quick double on the card, said of the four-year-old’s victory: “That was pretty straightforward.

“Solar Heights was entitled to win like that on the figures.

“Lingfield on the turn all the time should suit her, because she does have early pace, and I don’t see the drop back to seven being a problem. She has a bit of boot and does her best work early on.

“The final will be a step up. But it is great prize money – and with her rating, she is entitled to take her chance.”