Heavy Rum Talk must not be taken lightly

RUM TALK

OWNER: Stephen Chung, W.P. Valentine Chung and Clovis Metcalfe

TRAINER: Philip Feanny

BREEDER: Henry W. Jaghai

After finishing third to AD INFINITUM in last year's Superstakes, RUM TALK came back six weeks later to turn the tables on his old rival in the grade one Harry Jackson Memorial Cup over 2400 metres last Boxing Day to end the season on a winning note.

This year, however, he has managed only one win, slamming REGAL SELECTION by 10 lengths in the Legal Light Trophy over 1820 metres when making his seasonal debut on April 18.

Since then, RUM TALK has been anchored by top weight in two races, but despite this has not been disgraced in running. The 2007 Guineas and St. Leger winner finished a strong second to CHADMAN in the L.R. 'Bob' Mayall Memorial Trophy on July 4 under top weight of 58.5kg.

Next time out in the Prime Minister's Stakes over 2000 metres on August 6 (Independence Day), RUM TALK finished 5 1/2 fifth to the lightly weighted three-year-old gelding and Derby winner, HE'S REALLY OK, under the crushing impost of 60.5kg.

He was again allotted top weight of 60.5kg on his most recent outing in The Viceroy Trophy over 1800 metres on October 3, but could only manage third, beaten 3 3/4 lengths by the American filly GOOD CITIZEN, with AD INFINITUM a close up second.

RUM TALK, who is looking sharp at exercise, is favoured by the weight conditions of the Superstakes (he will carry 57.0kg) and remembering his runaway victory in the Legal Light Trophy early in the season, he cannot be taken lightly.

SAINT CECELIA

SAINT CECELIA

OWNER: Stephen Chung & Valentine Chung

TRAINER: Spencer Chung

BREEDER: HAM Stables Limited

Unraced as a two-year-old, SAINT CECELIA made her debut on February 14 over 1100 metres and although showing good early speed, weakened badly in the straight to finish a well-beaten seventh to BELLA as the 6-5 favourite.

But little did racing fans know that this well-bred filly would go on to win the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks quite easily.

She won impressively over 1100 metres on her second outing in maiden company a month later, this by the resounding margin of 14 lengths in the smart time of 1:06.4 with jockey Shane Ellis holding a tight rein.

By virtue of that performance, she whipped the front running favourite MISS RUTH by 4 1/4 lengths in the 1000 Guineas on April 4 and subsequently turned the Oaks into a procession later that month.

Although highly fancied at 5-2 for the Derby, SAINT CECELIA proved no match for the colts, weakening badly from early in the straight to finish 13th. But going the shorter distance of the St. Leger three weeks later, the Burning Marque-She's On Wheels offspring stayed on well from below the distance to finish 1 1/2 lengths second, ensuring that the winner BRUCEONTHELOOSE was extended to the finish.

SAINT CECELIA came back to score an impressive post-to-post victory in the Seek Exercise Book Trophy race over 1300 metres in open allowance company on August 29, covering the distance in the smart time of 1:17.2. Although managing only third to the rank outsider REGAL SELECTION in the Owen Silvera Memorial Cup over 1600 metres as the howling favourite on October 10, SAINT CECELIA, having worked exceptionally well (galloping seven furlongs in 1.26.0) , can prove equal to the task with only 52.0kg.

ALSAFRA

Alsafra

OWNER: Sherman Clachar & Norman Gordon

TRAINER: Fitznahum Williams

BREEDER: Henry W. Jaghai

Although enjoying a fantastic season in 2008, the Triple Crown winner and subsequent Horse of the Year, ALSAFRA, won everything except the Superstakes.

Installed a 4-5 favourite, ALSAFRA (Brian Harding up) found one too good in AD INFINITUM and was beaten by three-quarter length in a driving finish, a bitter pill for her connections to swallow.

This year, ALSAFRA has not set the world alight, having secured only one win from six starts in open allowance company. That came on May 2 over 1600 metres when upstaging the American colt SHANGHAI PASS by 1 3/4 lengths in the fairly good time of 1:38.3.

She proved competitive in her next three races, including a second-place finish to SHANGHAI PASS in the Chairman's Trophy (grade one) over 1500 metres on May 9 and another good second to reigning champion sprinter AHWHOFAH in the UBA Sprint over 1300 metres on Derby Day.

But her last running on October 17 (Heroes Day) in the Governor General's Stakes over 2000 metres was cause for concern. The classy filly by Legal Process out of Tee Gee Vee was installed a 4-5 favourite in her final prep for the Superstakes, but failed to put in a punch in a small field of four, finishing badly as she tailed off, over 50 lengths behind the winner AD INFINITUM.

Although something obviously went amiss in her last race, ALSAFRA will take her place in the Superstakes line-up, according to part-owner Sherman Clachar and could prove the last running went all wrong.