Racing: Stumps called on sprinter's spring affair

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Sydney trainer Joe Pride has called time on the spring campaign of Rain Affair after his lacklustre performance in the Sebring Sprint.

Sent out an easing favourite, the speedster took up the running in Saturday's 1400m race but had no answer when challenged in the straight, wilting to finish a soundly beaten sixth behind Riva De Lago.

The performance followed his tough run in the Warwick Stakes, when he over-raced in the lead but fought on valiantly to finish third.

Pride had feared that effort might have taken its toll on the 6-year-old and his concerns were realised when he showed none of his usual fight at Rosehill on Saturday on a firm track, which is not his preferred surface.

He felt the quick turnaround between his Brisbane winter carnival campaign and spring return might have flattened the multiple group one placegetter.

"He will go to the paddock now," Pride said.

"He only had a month off after Brisbane and obviously it has been a bit too much for him."

While Pride was left to lick his wounds, the Sebring Sprint delivered a good result for the runnerup.

Robert Heathcote said that Solzhenitsyn was on track to defend his Toorak Hcp crown after finishing second. Solzhenitsyn will run next in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, in which he finished third last year.

"It's the same plan as last year," Heathcote said. "I was very happy with his run."

- AAP