No match for Bootylicious among overnight company

THOUGH CARRYING topweight 126lb in Sunday’s overnight allowance at five furlongs round, BOOTYLICIOUS’ rivals are too close in the handicaps, LABAN at 121lb and CHOCOMO, 122lb, to try testing her on the lead.

BOOTYLICIOUS’ speed allowed her to return off a six-month break to wire derby-winner ABILITY at five furlongs straight in March, needing only one reminder of the whip to clock 58.4 among overnight-allowance horses, the level at which she is back on the round course.

A top-class sprinter with two creditable grade-one performances under her girth - chasing DESERT OF MALIBU in the Saint Cecelia and caught by IS THAT A FACT in the Reggae Trophy - BOOTYLICIOUS is among overnight-allowance runners on a conditions book get-out-of-jail card, having not won above the level since beating ABILITY.

Even though ABILITY returned the favour when they met in May at six furlongs, before being collared a half-furlong out, BOOTYLICIOUS had I AM FRED and WALL STREET TRADER ridden from the off to keep pace.

ABILITY outfinished I AM FRED by a short head but only after BOOTYLICIOUS had him chasing splits of 22.3, 34.0 46.0 and 57.4.

Facing seven rivals, none capable of matching her on the lead, BOOTYLICIOUS will be on roller skates entering the lane, leaving CHOCOMO and LABAN in a tiff with MONEY MARKET for the minors.

BOOTYLICIOUS has won five of her 11 career starts, including the Thornbird Stakes at seven furlongs last April, beating subsequent classic winners, St Leger heroine THALITA and her stablemate, MAMMA MIA, who landed the 1000 Guineas and Jamaica Oaks.