Racing: Solo Flyer returns from layoff to snare victory in Doncaster trial

Anthony Cummings completed a great training feat by winning the Newmarket Handicap at Newcastle yesterday with Solo Flyer and virtually assuring the entire a start in the rich Doncaster Handicap next month.

Solo Flyer, ridden by Corey Brown, ran a race and course record to win at only his second start back from a long enforced spell.

While Cummings and the 4-year-old's owners were celebrating, Gai Waterhouse was looking for answers for the failure of the odds-on favourite Ashikaga, ridden by Blake Shinn.

Waterhouse said she was not ruling out the Doncaster for the horse but said he would have to redeem himself if she was to continue the plan.

"Once the dust has settled I will find another race for him and see where we go from there," Waterhouse said.

Cummings said Solo Flyer would start in the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on Golden Slipper day as his final lead-up to the A$2 million ($2.5 million) Doncaster run at Randwick on April 18.

"I think he has enough prizemoney now to qualify," Cummings said.

"He has always shown us a touch of class but had to have chips taken off both knees last year then spent a long time recuperating. It was a big effort to win."

- AAP