East Asia looking to extend sequence
East Asia can take his unbeaten record to three since joining trainer Ian Williams, with a second victory at Goodwood.
The six-year-old spent most of his career in the Middle East, first with Doug Watson and latterly Mahmood Hussain, but failed to win in 14 races.
Seemingly invigorated by the move to Williams' base in Worcestershire, East Asia has yet to taste defeat since his move to the UK.
Given an opening mark of 70, he was not particularly fancied on his debut for new connections, but the 16-1 shot took a 14-runner handicap at Newbury in tremendous style, by four and three-quarter lengths from Portenza.
A 5lb rise and a step up in trip from a mile and a half to two miles proved no problem for the Iffraaj gelding, who followed up with another smooth success, this time at Goodwood.
Leading a furlong out, East Asia drew away from his 12 rivals to score by two and three-quarter lengths from Tigerten.
He was much more fancied this time, going off the 11-5 favourite.
East Asia has gone up a further 6lb for that triumph – but he could still be ahead of the assessor when he bids for the hat-trick in the Goodwood Patrons' Handicap over the same course and distance.
The Lamplighter can register a third course success over six furlongs in the Jackson-Stops Goodwood Handicap.
George Baker's six-yearold is only 3lb higher than when last successful at the Sussex venue in September.
The son of Elusive City had the winter off after a belowpar effort here, and has run respectably in all four of his starts - two on turf and two on the all-weather.
However, The Lamplighter will be much more at home back at Goodwood - and a big performance is likely.
Perotto has shaped well in two handicaps at Newmarket in May, and can reap the benefit by taking in the Sussex Roof Garden Handicap.
After going down by a length to Creative Force, who went on to lift a Listed race at Newbury, the Marcus Tregoning-trained three-year-old was not disgraced when fourth to Jumby in a competitive heat two weeks later.
Tregoning steps Perotto up to seven furlongs, and on breeding it should be within his compass.
He showed no sign of stopping when getting off the mark over six furlongs at this course in June on his second start.
Elsewhere, El Presente, fourth in a controversial finish to the be365 Gold Cup at Sandown, can return to winning ways at Perth. The eight-year-old jumped the final fence in second but lost two places.