Gingin trainer Ash Maley gave his 3yo filly Hard Solo an easy kill first-up at Geraldton on Sunday and they don’t come much easier than her three-length stroll in the Mark Houston Maiden (1203m).
Hard Solo (Photo / Western Racepix) went out an odds-on favourite and sat three-wide without cover before dropping her older rivals when given rein by Tash Faithfull. “Tell you what, that was ultra impressive,” race caller Richard Bell declared. “Tash knew exactly what was underneath and made sure the filly had room to move. What a win!”
Hard Solo (3f All Too Hard – Musica Royale by High Chaparral) was resuming from a winter spell after a busy 2yo season that included two placings at Ascot and outings in the RL Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at Pinjarra and G2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot.
Maley and his partner Rachael Povey bought her from Dawson Stud at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions. Ash then went back and purchased her Awesome Rock half-brother at this year’s Swan Valley Yearling Sale.
“She’s a classy filly alright and won with a leg in the air,” Maley said at the Belmont trials on Monday morning. “We’ve always had an opinion of her and she will only get better.
“I will wait and see how she pulls up before making a decision on her next start. All going well, it will probably be a midweek meeting in town and we go from there.”
Hard Solo also has the pedigree to make the grade and more in the metro area. Bred and sold by Graham Daws, she’s by Vinery Stud’s Group 1 sire All Too Hard and is the fifth winner from five named foals from NZ-bred mare Musica Royale who won from 1300m at Sandown Hillside to 2040m at Moonee Valley.
Second dam Very Musical (Green Tune) is a half-sister to G1 French 1000 Guineas winner Valentine Waltz (Be My Guest) and G1 NYRA Matron Stakes winner Sense Of Style (Thunder Gulch).
Daws bought Musica Royale for $170,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale from Attunga Stud’s Brian Nutt who was acting as agent for successful Melbourne breeder Gerry Ryan. Dawson Stud manager Paulette Ralston reports Musica Royale foaled a beautiful filly by Maschino last week and she will likely go to My Admiration.
