3 minute read
Derby hopeful kicks off in same race his brother won last year.
Liam Howley won the 1500-metre race for three-year-olds at the late-August meeting at The Valley last year with a son of Almanzor and She Is Stryking and the Kyneton trainer will look to do the same again this year.
El Poder Del Sol has the chance to break his maiden in the race his brother Virtuous Circle won last year.
It will be the first start since an eye-catching fourth placing over 1420m at Flemington in May for El Poder Del Sol, who demonstrates similar staying traits to his Australian Derby runner-up brother but as a more robust model.
"They're very similar in all their mannerisms and demeanour and the way they go about their work, but he's just a bigger, stronger unit," Howley told RSN927 earlier in the week.
"He's always been that half-a-hand taller and bigger and stronger and across his back. Virtuous was always quite immature in that regard."
Virtuous Circle went on to run second in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) last spring, but Howley bypassed the Victoria Derby to concentrate on autumn staying features.
El Poder Del Sol possesses attributes his older brother lacked 12 months ago, which gives Howley confidence he could line up in the Victoria Derby (2500m) on November 4 if his form warrants it.
"He's come back a little bit bigger. He was always nice and strong, so he's maintained that, he's maintained his attitude towards his work, he's very settled, he's very professional, he does everything right, so I'm looking forward to kicking him off."
Both El Poder Del Sol are by Almanzor, who sired last year's Victoria Derby winner Manzoice, and are the second and third foals from the Stryker mare She Is Stryking, whose only other to race is Danger Strykes (Astern), a Listed winner over 1200m in New Zealand.
