EL PODEROSO has picked up five pounds for his Thoroughbred Hall of Fame Stakes win but was convincing enough, dismissing TRADITIONAL PRINCE and DOUBLE THE HONEY, that he should defy the weight swing in tomorrow's open allowance at 1100 metres.

Percy Williams, who got a big run out of EL PODEROSO in January, losing by a nose to POTCHEEN, was recalled by trainer Philip Feanny to replace apprentice riders who were aboard the five-year-old in three prior starts.

Williams rode a well-timed race to pounce on the dueling pair of TRADITIONAL PRINCE and DOUBLE THE HONEY at the top of the lane and took charge leaving the furlong pole. GOGO YVONNE came with a storming run late in the last half-furlong but the winning post intervened as EL PODEROSO got home by a short head.

There has been a shuffling of the deck with the distance reduced by a half furlong tomorrow. In addition, champion trainer Wayne DaCosta has called up two-kilo claiming apprentice Romario Saunders aboard DOUBLE THE HONEY, replacing Dick Cardenas, who moves to RIO COBRE.

DOUBLE THE HONEY, who had a battle royal on the lead with TRADITIONAL PRINCE and had wilted first when EL PODEROSO pounced, returns six pounds lighter with a clear intention of making all at the reduced distance.

another battle

However, TRADITIONAL PRINCE's trainer, Patrick Lynch, is ready for another battle on the lead as he has fitted his runner with blinkers, expecting a hot duel with DOUBLE THE HONEY.

The plot seems all too similar to the June 7 race, which worked perfectly for EL PODEROSO, who attacked and sprinted off from TRADITIONAL PRINCE a furlong out.

Never mind the additional weight, Feanny's runner won under a hand ride and was even hindered between horses leaving the half mile when TRADITIONAL PRINCE and DOUBLE THE HONEY made a dash for the lead.

Williams had to settle EL PODEROSO before going in chase of the leaders two and a half out. He caught them entering the lane and put away the battling duo with some amount of ease. RIO COBRE had tried moving with Feanny's runner off the turn but was also left for dead.

Perfectly drawn at post-position seven, widest, with DOUBLE THE HONEY and TRADITIONAL PRINCE on his inside, EL PODEROSO should have no traffic problems down the backstretch or entering the lane.

Elsewhere on the card, STRIKING DISTANCE should outstay rivals in the fifth and MISS DOROTHY should get off the mark in the nightpan after finishing ahead of rivals in her last three races.