Vahala hopes for Soldanelle redemption

As a trainer there are losses you cop on the chin-and then there are those that can linger.

For Stefan Valhala, Soldanelle’s cruel first up run two weeks ago sits firmly in the latter category.

The seven-year-old mare was resuming with quiet confidence after a trial win, but the race gods had other plans.

Pocketed and held up for the entire straight, Soldanelle finally saw daylight in the final strides and surged to the line, only to be beaten a nose into third.

Valhala rues it was a race that got away.

“We are having a rough run at the minute," Valhala said on Tabradio.

“Some horses pulling up sick and some horses not getting luck.

“That one hurt, but the horse went well.”

Soldanelle enjoyed a strong campaign last time in work, ultra-competitive and forever consistent, top three finishes in her final five starts.

But Valhala believes the seven-year-old mare has more to give and with a subtle shift in her training routine, he’s confident she can elevate to a higher level this preparation.

“It took us a good 12-months to work her out, and once we did, she hasn’t run a bad race,” Vahala said.

“I think that now we have her sorted you know what you are getting.

“From previous preps we are training her differently.

“Last prep we got a bit more work into her trying to get over a bit of ground.

“Now, we are purely training her for 1400m, so the workload is a lot lighter.”

Soldanelle was earmarked for a career in the breeding barn, but Vahala has put those plans on ice, driven by a desire to see her compete in black type company.

“That’s the dream, that’s why she didn’t go to the breeding barn this year,” Valhala said.

“Hopefully the aim is to get through her grades if she is good enough and then freshen her up for the summer carnival and the fillies and mares' series.”

Betting fluctuations have reshaped the landscape ahead of the Congratulations Grant & Alana Williams-Leading Trainer 24/25 Handicap (1400m).

Despite opening favourite, Soldanelle has eased from $3.40 to $4.60 with punters zeroed in on Essentric Nature, who has firmed into a dominant $2.40 favourite.

Soldanelle has drawn barrier six and will be ridden by Steven Parnham.

Julio Santarelli