Saint Cecelia to go all the way in sprint

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The classy four-year-old filly SAINT CECELIA should confirm her status as the island's top sprinter with victory in today's fifth race, the $2 million CTL Caribbean Sprint Championship over 1200 metres at Caymanas Park.

Having finished sixth to HOMBRE in last year's Superstakes, SAINT CECELIA now turns her attention to the sprint - the ideal type of race for the speedy daughter of Burning Marque-She's On Wheels.

Oddly enough, SAINT CECELIA, who has won several grade one races and would normally have carried topweight of 60.5kg were this a handicap race, has been allotted only 55.0kg in this weight-for-age invitational race for three-year-olds and up.

Being a filly, she gets a 2.0kg sex allowance from the four-year-old colts and geldings, hence the likes of MINISTEROFJUSTICE, HAIL THE GENIUS and MR. SKILL, all inferior to her in ability, are set to carry 57.0kg in the eight-strong field.

SAINT CECELIA, to be ridden by leading all-time jockey Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths, who needs only one more winner to attain the 1,600th milestone, will be having her first outing since her unplaced effort under topweight (60.5kg) to the unbeaten American gelding CASSANOVA BOY in the fast-run LIME Sprint over 1300 metres on June 19 (Derby Day).

Missing the break

SAINT CECELIA finished five lengths fifth after missing the break from the number one post position. Although mending to take on the fleet-footed but then lightly weighted MR. SKILL (48.5kg) on the lead passing the half mile, the big weight eventually took its toll, paving the way for Wayne DaCosta's CASSANOVA BOY to win his eighth consecutive race.

Although racing for the first time in almost five months, SAINT CECELIA has been burning up the track at exercise and is raring to go.

Speedy filly

The speedy chestnut filly by Burning Marque out of She's On Wheels, who both both the 1000 Guineas and Oaks last year, turned heads at exercise on November 1, galloping 5¹/² furlongs in 1:06.2, the last five in a blistering 59.0.

Last Saturday, trainer Spencer Chung said he was pleased with the preparation of SAINT CECELIA.

"She has been working well in preparation for the race and, barring unforseen circumstances, I am expecting her to return on a winning note.

"After all, she represents the class horse of the field and has the conditions of weight allotment in her favour," said the young trainer, who has done exceptionally well with both SAINT CECELIA and THE GUV, two of the best horses in training.

Prior to losing on June 19, SAINT CECELIA turned in a smashing performance under topweight 60.5kg, slamming the American-bred filly HONEYOFALADY by 5¹/² lengths in the Lotto Sprint Trophy over 1100 metres on May 29, covering the distance in near track record time of 1:04.2 with Allen Maragh aboard.

Coming from the number one post position, she should win from consistent MINISTEROFJUSTICE, to be ridden by in-form Dane Nelson, with BRASH & SASSY (Paul 'Country' Francis) taking third.