Sotomayor to outgun rivals in Race 5

Anthony Nunes' SOTOMAYOR has the class and staying ability to outgun younger rivals in this afternoon's fifth event at 1820 metres, facing Spencer Chung's staying foreigner, MY ELLE BELLE, and Richard Azan's unbeaten PEKING CRUZ.

Placed in every classic last season, SOTOMAYOR has been gradually regaining form since returning from a seven-month layup, narrowly losing two races and winning at a mile in his last three starts.

Carrying 55.0 kilos at a mile two weeks ago, SOTOMAYOR just failed to catch RADICAL, one of his four-year-old peers and fellow classic contender from last season.

Though RADICAL shared topweight 55.0 kilos and had also gone on an extended break after the 2000 Guineas, he didn't face the rigours of Governor's Cup, Derby and St Leger, plus Prime Minister's Stakes, and made his return a month sooner this year, getting tougher races under his girth before SOTOMAYOR made his comeback.

However, SOTOMAYOR's credentials, especially going two turns, should have him see off three-year-olds PEKING CRUZ and MY ELLE BELLE.

Speedy PEKING CRUZ is getting 11lb from SOTOMAYOR in what appears to be a Lotto Classic prep race. Whereas he has the weight in his favour and outstanding sprint credentials, two convincing wins at 1000 metres straight, it's left to be seen whether he will stay the distance.

Bred Traditional-Patty Girl, PEKING CRUZ is a half-brother to SUPERBOLT and FEDORA, sprinters who got no more than six furlongs each. That leaves PEKING CRUZ with a lot to prove, despite the featherweight and impressive back-to-back victories.

NO ISSUE

However, United States-bred MY ELLE BELLE will have no issue with the distance. In fact, it was after she was stretched out to 1500 metres, after two sprint races, that she impressed by beating fellow American SUPER SPARKLE and ROYAL AVIATOR, closing fast inside the last furlong.

Though she was beaten five lengths by classic-bound COMMANDER TWO and DRUMMER BOY in her next race at the same distance, MY ELLE BELLE did improve on her final time by two-fifths of a second, signalling her preference for a distance of ground.

SOTOMAYOR, however, was only beaten by a sharper RADICAL on last, who, up to a year ago, proved that he was just as good, up to a mile, by finishing a length behind him in the 2000 Guineas won by FEARLESS SAMURAI.

PEKING CRUZ will try making all but must be suspect against more experienced horses at the distance, giving the advantage to the closers, especially SOTOMAYOR, who will relish the trip.