By Mark Ryan

MELBOURNE, Aug 25 AAP - Promising Peter Snowden-trained colt Retrieve could be heading to Sydney for next month's Group Three Gloaming Stakes following his easy win at Sandown on Wednesday.

"He's learning all the time and today he did everything right that was expected of him," Melbourne stable foreman Paul Snowden said.

"We've got two choices, he can go to Sydney for the Gloaming or he can stay here for a three-year-old 1700-metre race.

"Dad has to make the call after his next couple of runs whether he continues on into the spring or he goes out and looks forward to the autumn.

"We haven't got to him on the training track as yet and he's got plenty more to give.

"He's still a kid in the head and each time he's stepped out he's done a little bit more to show that he's on the way forward.

"There's something about him over a trip, he's a very relaxed type. He's pretty impressive."

If Retrieve performs well in the Gloaming (1800m) at Rosehill on September 18 the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick and Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington would come under consideration.

Last year's Gloaming was won by subsequent Cox Plate winner So You Think.

The Sheikh Mohammed-owned and Snowden-trained Sousa won the Spring Champion Stakes two years ago.

Owned in the same interests Retrieve's dam, Red Ransom mare Hold To Ransom, won two races - the Listed Quince Stakes at Newmarket at two and the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Ridden by Mark Zahra, Retrieve ($2 fav) travelled nicely in third spot in the five-horse Abdul Hcp (1500m) run in boggy conditions and came away to score by 2-1/4 lengths from race leader A City Girl.

Lopov, who raced fiercely in the early stages with blinkers on for the first time, was 1-1/2 lengths away third.

Meanwhile, Mount Gambier trainer Belinda O'Loughlin and the owners of Solar Reef were rewarded for their patience when the nine-year-old landed his first city win in the Merman Hcp (3100m).
O'Loughlin said she bought the veteran galloper for only $1,000 as a yearling.

"We love him," O'Loughlin, who is the managing owner of the North Reef gelding, said.

"He's had back and hock problems but he loves the wet."

Ridden by Holly McKechnie, Solar Reef ($10) settled fifth of the seven runners and revelled in the heavy (10) ground for a seven-length victory over Trenchtown ($1.85 fav) with race leader Bratton 4-1/4 lengths away third.

Solar Reef was having his 70th start and has now won six races and run eight seconds and 16 thirds for more than $85,000 in prizemoney.