Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

BRUCEONETHLOOSE made amends for his near miss in the June 13 UBA Derby with a fighting victory over the classy filly SAINT CECELIA in the 83rd running of the RJR Jamaica St Leger over 2000m, the season's final classic, at Caymanas Park, yesterday.

Installed an even-money favourite with leading all-time jockey Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths again riding for 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny and owners Tres Amigos, BRUCEONTHELOOSE, now fitted with the figure eight, was held just off the early pace in fifth on this occasion as his recent Derby conqueror HE'S REALLY OK (5-2) under title-chasing jockey Paul 'Country' Francis tried to make all.

HE'S REALLY OK

The grey HE'S REALLY OK led by a length from the 60-1 outsider NEPTUNE and MY SPACE (36-1) both chasing him relentlessly as a team in a field of 10, followed by the 1000 Guineas and Oaks heroine SAINT CECELIA, under Shane Ellis, at the half-way stage.

It was at this stage that BRUCEONTHELOOSE started his winning run, picking off horses on the outside to go second passing the half mile.

Running like a well-oiled machine, 'BRUCE' went by HE'S REALLY OK approaching the 600-metre pole and responded to a fanning right hand stick from Griffiths when SAINT CECELIA came calling from early on the straight to beat her by 1 1/2 lengths.

Both separated themselves well clear of the others in the drive, as SAINT CECELIA finished all of 9 1/2 lengths clear of the improving GO ROBIN GO (23-1) under Devon A 'Papa' Thomas in third.

The Frederick Watson-trained HE'S REALLY OK, who got up on the line to beat 'BRUCE' by a short head in the Derby, weakened dramatically in the latter stages to finish sixth, some 15 lengths away.

Leading money-spinner

Bred by HAM Stables Limited, BRUCEONTHELOOSE, a 3-y-o grey colt by Wheelaway out of Road To Justice, chalked up his fifth win from six starts this season to overtake HE'S REALLY OK as the season's leading money-spinner with $5.4 million.

Feanny disclosed that 'BRUCE' will leave for Trinidad next Friday where he will race for a while.

Part-owner Herbert Chung expanded on this: "He'll actually go into quarantine tomorrow (today) before leaving on Friday. He will stay in Trinidad to contest the Royal Oak Derby in September and also the Midsummer Classic. All being well, he'll return for the Superstakes," said Chung, who lamented the fact that BRUCEONTHELOOSE failed by only a short head to win the Triple Crown.