Saint Cecelia to deliver Oaks

Published: Saturday | April 25, 2009


Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer


GO MY ROBIN, running at odds of 16-1 with the claiming apprentice Lenroy Collins riding for trainer Stanley Findlay, romps home by 15 lengths in the sixth race over 1700 metres at Caymanas Park on Wednesday for an upset win. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

SAINT CECELIA, the impressive winner of the 1000 Guineas on April 4, goes in search of her second classic win of the season in the 70th running of the Bigga Jamaica Oaks, for native bred three-year-old fillies over 2000 metres, at Caymanas Park today at 5 p.m.

The race features a rematch between SAINT CECELIA and MISS RUTH, the top two in the Guineas over 1600 metres.

SAINT CECELIA, to again be ridden by former champion Shane Ellis for second season trainer Spencer Chung, will not only be joined by arch-rival MISS RUTH, with US-based Panamanian jockey Fernando Jara riding for trainer Percy Hussey once again, but the Guineas third-place finisher PATARA and also the fourth horse, SHE'S MAGIC, under in-form Dane Nelson and champion jockey Omar Walker, respectively.

Talented filly

This quartet will more than likely fill the first four places once again but as far as winning is concerned, look no further than the lightly raced, but talented filly SAINT CECELIA.

She led home the front-running MISS RUTH by 4-1/4 lengths in the Guineas, covering the distance (1600 metres) in the smart time of 1:38.3 - four-fiths of a second faster than the time posted by the 2000 Guineas winner BRUCEON-THELOOSE one hour later.

The chestnut filly by Burning Marque out of She's On Wheels has done everything asked of her in preparation for the longer distance of the Oaks and indications are at this stage she's just as good as last year's Triple Crown winner, ALSAFRA, who also romped the Oaks.

Still, knowing the nature of racing, her trainer Spencer Chung has not gone over the moon about her chances, but he was quietly confident.

"She came out of the Guineas in good shape. She lost a little weight but not much. She's taking her gallops pretty good, so everything is going to plan.

"She got an easy five furlongs, just to fresh her up, after that I stretched her out for a mile, 1:43.0 by herself on Saturday, at an easy pace," he said.

However, he was quick to add that she has never gone 10 furlongs and it's left to be seen how she handles the distance.

"But she's definitely a classy filly and this should see her through in the end," added the former assistant to 14-time champion trainer, Philip Feanny.

MISS RUTH, however, will be coming for revenge and whatever happens she will have to be caught.

Trainer Hussey has fitted her with the cheek pieces for the first time and this could have the desired effect on the quality of her performance and her class should enable her to stay the trip.

However, SAINT CECELIA beat her so convincingly in the Guineas that barring unforeseen circumstances, I don't see MISS RUTH turning the tables.

Four starters

Also on the Bigga-sponsored 11-race programme is the three-year-old and up graded stakes supporting feature for the Lady Geeta Trophy over 1200 metres to be contested by only four starters, including the speedy five-year-old mare OUTSTANDING, who is unbeaten in two trophy races this season. She ought to be followed, despite top weight.

I also like ESCAPE THE FATE in the third, KING OF THE TRACK in the fourth, SHANGHAI PASS in the sixth, HIGH SOCIETY in Division II of the Ricochet Cup and TOP COMMANDER to outlast the speedy C'EST MOI in the eighth, the Bigga Dash over the straight five course.