Cruz to shine on Solar power

THE Eddie Lo-trained Solar Century looks too good for the assembled opposition in the third event in tonight's less than spectacular equitrack meeting under the Valley lights.

To be ridden by Tony Cruz, the four-year-old New Zealand gelding has shown a distinct liking for the synthetic track, winning one and running a short-head second at the other of his only two starts on the surface.

Indeed, if Solar Century had not missed the start and been forced to race somewhat wide at his last outing, would probably have come into this race with a 100 per cent record on the surface.

Only six horses face the starter and with Cruz on board the odds are expected to be fairly prohibitive, but it is hard to see any of the other five beating of him.

Call Me Horse finished a length and a quarter adrift of Solar Century two starts back and is now two pounds better off for that run. However I cannot see him reversing the placings with only a two pounds pull at the weights.

Basil Marcus rides Limelight, and Marcus has had plenty of that recently, scoring brilliantly on five winning rides last Saturday, but alas may have to stand in the shadows of Cruz in this race because Limelight has been running far below his best.

News Flash, like Limelight, is another who has raced in better form.