Recent history has played a big part in the decision to bypass the ATC Australian Oaks with Solicit.

The filly’s autumn campaign was geared towards Saturday’s Australian Oaks (2400m) after her brave third in the VRC Oaks (2500m) in the spring but Sydney’s wet weather forced a rethink.

Solicit finished second to Lucia Valentina in the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) on a heavy track at Rosehill to cement herself as one of the main Australian Oaks fancies.

However, owner David Moodie has opted to drop his filly back to the 1600 metres of the Queen Of The Turf on Saturday.

Co-trainer Simon Zahra said running Solicit over the longer distance of the Australian Oaks would hamper the stable’s spring plans.

“It can bottom them out running over 2400 metres on the heavy track,” Zahra, who trains Solicit in partnership with Mathew Ellerton, said.

“The past history of the Oaks and Derbys on heavy tracks gives us concerns about flattening her and we are conscious of her future.”

Zahra said that future included a tilt at the Caulfield Cup in the spring.

The filly pleased her trainers in a gallop on the Kensington track at Randwick on Friday and will have a shorter hit-out on Tuesday morning.

“We just have to keep the freshness in her legs for the shorter race,” Zahra said.

“She’s going really well and she’s capable of adapting to a drop in distance.”

Chad Schofield will ride Solicit again in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.

The Street Cry mare will carry 54.5kg under the weight-for-age conditions of the $1 million event and is the third favourite behind the Chris Waller-trained pair of Catkins and Red Tracer.