Jimmie, STAR Racing Writer

PATRICK LYNCH's TRADITIONAL PRINCE is handicapped to turn the table on nemesis EL PODEROSO in tomorrow's open allowance at 1000 metres straight.

Philip Feanny's EL PODEROSO had the measure of TRADITIONAL PRINCE in their last two meetings - first sitting level at 121lb before allowing the local-bred five pounds in a one-length win at 1100 metres.

Both races were epic clashes with TRADITIONAL PRINCE and EL PODEROSO locked in stretch battles, which virtually went down to the wire.

Lynch has called up claiming apprentice O'brien White to have TRADITIONAL PRINCE come in at 52.0 kilos, 11lb lighter and four races fresher than EL PODEROSO, who has Winston Griffiths aboard at 57.0 kilos.

With only seven runners in the line-up, there is not much advantage in EL PODEROSO being drawn widest at post-position seven, compared to TRADITIONAL PRINCE breaking from post-position three.

There will be plenty of pace to keep EL PODEROSO honest with the big weight. SUNLIGHT EXPRESS and LADYLIKE, at 52 and 48 kilos, respectively, will ensure a torrid pace coming across the dummy rail. This should have Feanny's runner off his bridle too early at a distance he doesn't relish.

speed and handicaps

TRADITIONAL PRINCE has the class, speed and handicaps in his favour to watch LADYLIKE and SUNLIGHT EXPRESS do the dirty work on EL PODEROSO before launching an unstoppable last-furlong run at the leaders.

Omar Walker returns to the saddle with five rides, back home from Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, Canada. However, he returns amid a full-pitch battle being waged for the jockeys' championship between champion Dane Nelson and Dick Cardenas, and might have to wait a while before he gets into the winners' enclosure.

Cardenas looks good aboard Wayne DaCosta's down-in-class DEO VOLENTE in the opening event at 1400 metres. He also has a strong hand in the sixth with SACHIN at 1200 metres.

Nelson, 71, has had nine winners in the last two days and leads Cardenas, 69, by two wins. However, he could be joined by the Panamanian, who has the better rides on the nine-race card.