Peking Cruz to show class in overnight allowance

PEKING CRUZ has been bumped up to topweight 126lb in Saturday's open allowance at five and a half furlongs, penalised for being the only horse in the event to have won at the level, resulting in a 37lb weight swing to WONG DON, who he had beaten by seven lengths last time out while in receipt of 11lb.

Richard Azan's PEKING CRUZ has improved by leaps and bounds since fitted with a tongue tie on July 21, winning three races on the trot, including over Saturday's trip, clocking 1:05.4 on August 18.

Even though the conditions have forced him to give weight to his five rivals, from a low of seven pounds to a high of 16, the chestnut gelding is still within a distance at which he can use his speed and class to dominate the pace from in front or just off the lead.

Having dismissed the likes of ANOTHER VIGOROUS at five furlongs straight, before blowing away overnight allowance in 1:05.4, and winning on his open allowance debut in 58.0 at five furlongs straight, the massive weight swing might be unfair in principle to PEKING CRUZ but can be defied by class.

Returning as fresh as a daisy after blitzing five furlongs straight on September 15, breaking from an inside draw, PEKING CRUZ cashed in tickets on four of her five rivals from that event - SARAH LEE, WONG DON, BIMINI and DISABILITY CHARM.

WITHOUT EXCEPTION is the exception but was six lengths down the track behind PEKING CRUZ at six furlongs, the race before she started her hat-trick run, outclassed by American-bred HILLY'S HALO, possibly the second-best horse in training now.

New to the class after a battling win against ZEPHYR at six furlongs on Wednesday, WITHOUT EXCEPTION returns quickly in hunt of a another payday but will encounter quicker splits, which will have Omar Walker pushing far earlier than he would have liked.

Dick Cardenas is good at saving his mounts for last-furlong rallies, plus he is at his best on or just about off the lead, making him the perfect choice to nurse home PEKING CRUZ from what should be a cavalry charge of lighter horses.