Soto Sizzler

Soto Sizzler may not get due recognition for his victory in the 1m 4f three-year-olds’ handicap. He was a maiden going into the race and he was allowed go off at 20/1, but he did well to come from the rear as he did and win as well as he did in the end. The pace held up well, the horses who finished second, third and fourth behind him occupied the first three places from early. Soto Sizzler was the only horse who was able to get into it from the rear.

Held up early on by Jimmy Quinn, William Knight’s horse travelled well throughout. Only eighth of the 10 runners at the top of the home straight, he made nice ground towards the far side as the leaders picked up. He needed a little luck to get racing room over there, which you often don’t get at Goodwood, but he was able to angle towards the outside as Corgi and Making Miracles duelled in front of him, and he stayed on strongly down the outside to get up and win by a length, going away at the finish.

He didn’t race last year as a juvenile, this was just his fifth race, so he has the potential to progress again. Out of a mare who won over 12f and finished third in the Park Hill Stakes, he shaped here as if he would do even better if he stepped up again in trip to 1m 6f or even 2m. This race has been won by Dartmouth and Dal Harraild in the recent past, and Soto Sizzler will be of interest wherever he goes next.

Goodwood, 1^st August 2018