Saint Cecelia obliges in feature

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The reigning champion sprinter, SAINT CECELIA, made amends for her near miss a year ago by winning the annual renewal of the Lady Geeta Trophy graded one feature over 1200 metres, in decisive fashion at Caymanas Park yesterday.

In April of last year, the fleet-footed mare was caught on the wire by the American-bred filly HONEYOFALADY, but made no mistake this time around.

Installed a 1-2 favourite with the promising 4.kg claiming apprentice Osive Donegal riding for trainer Spencer Chung, SAINT CECELIA won by 11/4 lengths from the fast-finishing pair of MINISTEROFJUSTICE (9-2) and Chung's THE GUV (5-2), heads on for second and third places, respectively, in a six-strong field.

DOUBLE THE HONEY takes the lead

SAINT CECELIA was well away from the number one post position and led for the first furlong, before giving way to the highly fancied American colt DOUBLE THE HONEY (5-2) under hot apprentice Richard Mairs.

But Donegal was content to make DOUBLE THE HONEY set the brisk early pace, before asking SAINT CECELIA to regain the lead approaching the 600-metre pole.

Running like a well-oiled machine, she turned for home some three lengths clear of HONEY OF A LADY and although coming back big in the closing stages, had more than enough in reserves to stave off MINISTEROFJUSTICE, who was never worse than third, and THE GUV, who closed rapidly on the inside from off the pace.

The five-year-old chestnut mare - by Burning Marque out of the Bates Motel mare She's On Wheels - had been working impressively in preparation for this race and Spencer Chung said he was pretty confident of the win.

"She was extensively prepared for this race and although she was giving weight all around, was the class horse in this small field and the one to beat," said the trainer, a former assistant to 14-time champion Philip Feanny.

Donegal, 20, said SAINT CECELIA won easier than the official margin of 11/4-length indicated and the apprentice, who rode two winners on the card (his first double), is looking forward to riding her again.

SAINT CECELIA is co-owned by Stephen and Valentine Chung and bred by HAM Stables Limited.

Meanwhile, the 8-5 favourite OUR DEELITE, ridden by 18-year-old Renardo McNaughton and 5-1 chance SKIPPINFORTREASURE with 21-year-old Oneil Beckford aboard, won the respective divisions of the CTL Exercise Riders' race (claiming $180,000) over 800 metres straight in fine style.