ROLEX, ridden by Trevor Simpson for owner/trainer Richard Azan, wins the fourth race over the straight for maiden two-year-olds at Caymanas Park on Wednesday, this at odds of 2-1. The favourite ROAMING STAR (Shane Ellis) was second. ROLEX is a son of the 2003 'Horse of the Year', A KING IS BORN. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

The progressive three-year-old colt UNDAUNTED, who has won his last four races, comes face to face with the classy three-year-old filly SAINT CECELIA at Caymanas Park today in the open allowance feature over 1600 metres for the Owen Silvera Memorial Cup.

The seven-horse field also includes the American-bred horses SHANGHAI PASS, who shoulders top weight of 57.0kg and QUICK AND GRAY, who is down to carry the bottom weight of 48.0kg.

All should ensure a good race but the winner is expected to come from the trio comprising SHANGHAI PASS, SAINT CECELIA and UNDAUNTED, as the sparingly raced ALLIED-FORCE, under champion jockey Omar Walker, is still not sharp enough for a winning effort.

model of consistency

The Gary Subratie-trained SHANGHAI PASS has been a model of consistency and will have his supporters, even though asked to give away weight all around.

SHANGHAI PASS, who won the Chairman's Trophy grade-one race over 1500 metres on May 3, has failed to follow up in five subsequent races. However, he finished a close third to SAINT CECELIA in the fast-run Seek Exercise Book Trophy race over 1300 metres on August 29 and now enjoying a 3.0kg swing with her in the scales, SHANGHAI PASS will only go down fighting.

Spencer Chung's SAINT CECELIA, winner of the 1000 Guineas and Oaks earlier this season, truly impressed when making all the running to win the Seek Trophy on last, covering the distance in the smart time of 1:17.2 in winning by 1 1/2 lengths from THE GUARDIAN.

SAINT CECELIA, who has trained brilliantly since, will welcome this easier pace and although sitting pretty close to SHANGHAI PASS on this occasion, has looked so sharp in the mornings that she will not go down easily.

lightweight jockey

Still, strictly at the weights though, UNDAUNTED has got to be the choice with a mere 51.0kg and Panamanian lightweight jockey Dick Cardenas in the saddle.

Formerly trained by Richard Todd, the son of Spacelink-Chinua changed hands for an undisclosed sum after winning his fourth consecutive race on August 26.

The intention was to ship him to Trinidad but according to his new trainer, Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, those plans were shelved when it was discovered that to transport him to Trinidad would cost US$20,000 one way.

UNDAUNTED has been winning at somewhat lower levels in fast times, but there's no denying that he is heading straight to the top. If he is to have any chance in the November 14 Superstakes, he should be able to put away rivals from this convenient point in the scales.

He clocked a fast 1:39.0 over this trip when winning by 2 1/2 lengths on July 29. And in his next race, he caught the eye with a fast 1:31.3 over 1500 metres. Having been taken to task at exercise by his trainer, UNDAUNTED should have the measure of the front-running SAINT CECELIA (Shane Ellis up) in the final rush.

I would also like NATURALLY ROYAL to win the first race, newcomer EXCELLENCE in the fourth, JACK N DBOX in the fifth, DIXIE CHICK in the ninth and THANKSWITHASMILE in the closing race, the Track Price Plus 'Dig Out' Handicap.