SAINT CECELIA (Paul Francis up) streaking to victory by a length and a half over THE GUARDIAN in yesterday's Seek Exercise Book Trophy feature over 1300 metres at Caymanas Park. The three-year-old filly, owned by Stephen and Valentine Chung and trained by Spencer Chung, covered the distance in fast 1:17.2. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance photographer
This year's 1000 Guineas and Oaks winner SAINT CECELIA underlined the quality of the current crop of three-year-olds with an impressive post-to-post victory in the Seek Exercise Book Trophy open allowance feature over 1300 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Installed an even-money favourite with in-form Paul 'Country' Francis aboard, SAINT CECELIA broke smartly from the number two post position and was pushed into the lead ahead of the chasing SHANGHAI PASS, followed by the highly fancied American filly HONEYOFALADY (7-2) with the GUARDIAN and 2-1 second favourite QUICK AND GRAY not too far off the pace in a field of nine.
SAINT CECELIA turned for home with SHANGHAI PASS still in hot pursuit, but she soon lengthened her strides to be four lengths clear passing the furlong pole. Although slowing down a bit midway through the last furlong, SAINT CECELIA kept on well to win by 1 1/2 lengths from fast-finishing THE GUARDIAN under champion jockey Omar Walker, with another 1 1/4 lengths to hat-trick seeker HONEYOFALADY in third.
won four races
A classy three-year-old chestnut filly by Burning Marque out of the Bates Motel mare She's On Wheels, SAINT CECELIA, who was unraced as a two-year-old, has now won four races from seven starts and total stakes of $4.3 million. She is owned by Stephen and Valentine Chung and trained by Spencer Chung, who was confident going into the race.
This is a classy filly and she had worked well in preparation for the race following her good second to Bruceontheloose in the St Leger last month.
"She had never been this light before (50.0kg) and I really fancied her chances at these weights," said the young trainer.
The imposing Seek Trophy was presented to Spencer Chung by the managing director of Book Empire Limited, Bruce Baylis, accompanied by his daughter Kerrie Baylis, who on August 22 was crowned Miss Jamaica (World) 2009.
The Seek Champion Betting Back-to-School raceday also featured three other trophy races, including race No. 2 of the Champion Claiming Series ($210,000-$190,000) over 1400 metres.
The race resulted in a mild upset, the consistent DIGI N' JIGGY (8-1) making all under Dane Nelson to win by four lengths from DUST ROCK (7-2) in a field of 11. By Royal Minister out of Wild Heart, the seven-year-old gelding is owned by Dr. Lynden Richards and trained by Steadman Curtis.
Francis took the riding honours with three winners in SAINT CECELIA, STICKSONTHELOOSE (2-1) and 3-2 favourite THE SMOKER to move to 66 winners - 17 adrift of Walker who rode two winners in NEW KINGSTON (7-2) and YOJIMBO (6-1) for champion and leading trainer Wayne DaCosta.
The day's major upset was provided by the 42-1 outsider FLYING MARGARETT (Jason Simpson up) in the Rhoel Rhoden Memorial Trophy race over 1000 metres for maiden two-year-olds, this resulting in a blanket finish. The winner is owned and trained by Leroy Fearon.