Back in search of more Group One glory

SIGNALLING her arrival on the ‘big stage’ during a hit-and-run mission last season, classy mare Soho Historia is back in Queensland in search of more Group One glory.

Unbeaten against handy opposition during her first five starts for premier Victorian trainer Emma Stewart, Soho Historia commanded respect by capturing the Queensland Oaks at Albion Park last July.

Since then the daughter of 1999 Queensland Derby winner, Courage Under Fire, has won a pair of top shelf events – Australasian Breeders’ Crown and Riverina Championship.

Soho Historia secured the latter feature on April 8 and will be first-up since the victory when she tackles the Garrards Golden Girl at Albion Park on Saturday night.

With regular driver Mark Pitt to take the reins, the four-year-old is expected to search for the lead from barrier three.

TAB Fixed Odds have Soho Historia listed as the second favourite at $3, with New South Wales mare, Braeview Kelly, heading the market at $2.70.

Prepared by Jack Trainor, Braeview Kelly faces a tough task from the inside of the back row.

“It’s never easy first-up, especially in such a big race, but she has been working tremendously and is ready to go,” Stewart said.

“She’s drawn well and we’ll be aiming to take full advantage of that.”

Sending a strong team north, Stewart will also be represented by Amore Vita in the 1660-metre sprint, with the daughter of Art Major drawn barrier 10.

Amore Vita was runner-up in the Oaks behind Soho Historia when trained by Nathan Purdon.

“We were very pleased with her first run back when second behind Mach Dan a couple of weeks ago,” Stewart said. “She will certainly improve for the hit out, but the draw hasn’t made it easy.”

Having mentioned Mach Dan, he is set to contest the Sunshine Sprint in which he will begin from the inside of the second row.

“It’s a strong field and he’s drawn poorly, so he has his work cut out for him,” Stewart said.

Stewart then has Balboa Rock drawn gate eight in the $156,000 event for Brisbane APG graduates.

Fifth upon debut, Balboa Rock won a series heat at Albion Park last week.

Exciting youngster The Lost Storm rounds out Stewart’s squad, with the three-year-old an odds-on favourite despite his outside of the back line draw in a support race.