Peking Cruz a top-class sprinter in the making
WITHOUT a doubt, Peking Cruz is one of the most improved horses in training. He has darted up to the top class in a flash and quite spectacularly.
On Saturday last Peking Cruz chalked up his fourth-consecutive win when he won the top-rated Open Allowance event.
Peking Cruz (Dick Cardenas) got the better of Without Exception by ¾ length in the three-year-olds upward event over 5 1/2 furlongs (1,100m), running the distance in a career -best 1:05.1 while recording cracking splits of 22.4 and 45.3.
Cardenas, who has been on Peking Cruz for his four straight wins, said that he was expecting nothing less than a victory and that Peking Cruz has a lot more to offer.
“It doesn’t surprise me that he won so easily. I expected him to win because he is a nice horse and he is going places.
“The performance was very good; Peking Cruz has good ability and a big heart,” Cardenas informed.
It wasn’t the best start to the race as the Traditional offspring walked out of the starting gates.
Peking Cruz recovered quickly and surged to the lead running the half mile (800m) and began to open on the field headed by Without Exception (Omar Walker).
Using hands and knees only coming into the lane, Cardenas got busy inside the final furlong (200m) when it appeared as if Without Exception was gaining.
Peking Cruz, although under top weight of 57.0kgs (126 lb), lasted home for his third win over this distance in as many starts.
From 10 career starts, Peking Cruz has won seven times with his other four victories coming over the five-furlong (1,000m) straight course.
Sarah Lee (Aaron Chatrie), who was outpaced earlier in the race, came through for third place.