Classy Saint Cecelia captures Issa Cup

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Spencer Chung ... trains Saint Cecelia.

The classy four-year-old filly SAINT CECELIA started the 2010 campaign with a bang, capturing the Abe Issa Memorial Cup three-year-old stakes over 1200 metres in fine style at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Installed a 4-5 favourite with the promising 3.0kg claiming apprentice Aaron Chatrie riding for trainer Spencer Chung, SAINT CECELIA moved away in the straight to win by 3 1/4 lengths from the crack American filly HONEYOFALADY, who went off the marginal second favourite at odds of 9-5.

In the battle for third, 2007 Derby winner THE BOMBER outfinished the 26-1 outsider QUICK AND GRAY and returning champion sprinter AHWHOFAH (9-5) in a three-way photo for the minor placings.

AHWHOFAH, who will more than likely be crowned 'Horse of the Year' at the None Such awards dinner on February 25, failed to go the early pace under customary top weight of 60.5kg in the seven-strong field and made little headway in the straight when asked to run by champion jockey Omar Walker.

Nothing, however, can detract from the performance of the 2009 Guineas. Oaks and Gold Cup winner SAINT CECELIA, who though outsped a bit by the lightly weighted MINISTEROFJUSTICE (11-1) from the number one most position, mounted her challenge from the half mile and surged ahead approaching the home turn. She quickly drew clear of rivals under the right hand stick, covering the distance in the good time of 1:11.2 on a slow surface, behind splits of 23.1, 46.2.

A chestnut filly by Burning Marque out of She's On Wheels, SAINT CECELIA is owned jointly by Stephen and Valentine Chung and was bred by the HAM Stables Limited. She has now won six races from 12 starts and just over $6 million in stakes.

Spencer Chung said he was confident going into the race:

"She's a smart filly and I had no doubt she would win. I knew she was the fastest in the field and thought the apprentice rode a good race by holding her together in second before sending her on.

"She beat both Honeyofalady and Ahwhofah in the Gold Cup when last raced on December 5 and has really held her form. She could come back for the Eros Trophy over seven furlongs in a couple of weeks", said Chung.

out of luck

Meanwhile, Omar Walker, out of luck on the Wayne DaCosta-trained AHWHOFAH, emerged the day's leading rider with three winners in odds-on-favourites THE VALIDICTORIAN and the 2-y-o debutante MR. SPEED for DaCosta in the Mercury Sprint secondary feature over the straight for maiden three-year-old colts, and American-bred DIABOLICAL KID (5-2) also for DaCosta in the sixth race over 1400 metres.

With title-chasing jockeys Paul 'Country' Francis and Dane Nelson both sitting out suspensions, Walker (nine wins) has now assumed the lead from Shane Ellis (eight wins) in the standings. Ellis failed to ride a winner on the 10-race programme.