Solo Black springs 10-1 upset
Solo Black (Northern Giant – Late N Drafty) made a significant turnaround of form to end his seven-race off-the-board finishes with an upset win in the third race at the March 8, 2025 meet.
Despite being a 10-1 underdog, Solo Black, trained by Lawrence Freemantle and ridden by Tajay Suckoo, came from behind rivals to take the win by a length going 9 furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m) with a time of 2:00.1 (26.0 x 51.3 x 1:17.2 x 1:44.3).
The contest was a Restricted Allowance V event for native-bred four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) and imported four-year-olds and upward (maidens).
At the starting gate, Solo Black lagged behind the early leaders, as The General (Robert Halledeen), Never (Dane Dawkins),
The Soul Warrior (Romane Gordon), and Military Light (Chris Mamdeen) set the pace going into the clubhouse turn and onto the main track.
As the runners sorted themselves out down the backstretch, Solo Black continued to race adrift of the leaders as The General tried to steal a march on the field.
However, as the contestants approached the half-mile turn, Solo Black began to make his move, skilfully navigating the turn and slipping into fourth place.
Solo Black then hugged the inside rails as they entered the final stretch, unleashed a powerful surge, overtaking The General by a length at the wire. The Soul Warrior finished third.
— Ruddy Allen