Lightly-raced gelding Sujet will have the opportunity to turn-the-tables on Petrol Power when he makes his debut at Group level in the Lee-Steere Classic (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Sujet made his racing debut in the Listed Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) and fought home bravely to finish a narrow second behind Petrol Power, despite being trapped wide and forced to work to the front of the field in the early stages of the race.
The Vital Equine gelding has a lot of natural talent and trainer Simon Miller was confident that the three-year-old, who was ridden by champion Hong Kong jockey Douglas Whyte, would have been able to hold-off Petrol Power if he had received a bit of luck during the run.
“He had to do a bit too much work to get across and that used him up a bit,” Miller said after the race.
“He drew out wide and you are going to get that and Petrol Power was the danger and he got us.”
Jason Taylor-trained Petrol Power has never previously recorded back-to-back victories since making his debut as a two-year-old just over a year ago but based on his performances this campaign goes into the Lee-Steere Classic with every possible chance to record his maiden Group 3 victory.
The Snitzel gelding started his summer preparation with a second place finish behind Acardia Rose in the Listed Belgravia Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on October 19 and was runner-up in the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m) a fortnight later before his impressive victory in the Placid Ark Stakes.
The only other horse taking winning form into the Lee-Steere Classic at Ascot this Saturday is Neville Parnham-trained Crown Lawyer who broke his maiden with a win in the Wild Turkey Rare Handicap (1200m) at Ascot on November 16.
The Not A Single Doubt colt has always shown plenty of talent but has had no luck in his five previous race starts before recording his first race win three weeks ago.
Guardlock, Ruling Force and Common Approach are all backing up from the Placid Ark Stakes a fortnight ago, while Daniel Morton-trained Moet Me is dropping back in distance after finishing eighth in the Group 2 Western Australian Guineas (1600m).
The 2012 Lee-Steere Classic was won by Simon Miller-trained Hard Ball Get who is now prepared by Melbourne Cup winning trainer David Hall in Hong Kong.
