Sizzling run by Saint Cecelia

Champion sprinter SAINT CECELIA scored a fitting victory at Caymanas Park yesterday, winning the race named in honour of her dam, She's On Wheels.

To say it was a superlative performance by the native-bred five-year-old mare by Burning Marque out of the Bates Motel mare She's On Wheels would be an understatement.

Ridden by former champion jockey Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry for trainer Spencer Chung, SAINT CECELIA, installed a 3-5 favourite in a field of five grade one horses, won the 1100 metres event by 2 1/4 lengths from the American filly DANCE WITH ME to equal the stakes record time of 1:03.4 held by REGINA SAVAGE since June, 1997.

Although not the best away from the gates, SAINT CECELIA coupled up quickly to go in chase of the fleet-footed three-year-old filly NIPHAL (36-1).

She circled NIPHAL entering the straight and quickly opened up to win from the Gary Subratie-trained DANCE SO SWEET (2-1) under title-chasing jockey Dick Cardenas, as LIFEISJUSFORLIVING (6-1) stayed on for third, 4 3/4 lengths away.

Big disappointment was the performance of the country's top-rated horse - the American four-year-old filly RONRON - who has now lost both races since she was transferred from the Subratie stables to champion trainer Wayne DaCosta last month.

five-timer for Ellis

Sent off a 2-1 second favourite under customary rider Shane Ellis, RONRON found herself outpaced in last position from early and was never in the hunt, eventually finishing a poor fourth under topweight of 57.0kg. Henry had this to say about SAINT CECELIA:

"She was not too sharply away but I got her rolling in less than a dozen strides ... . It was smooth sailing in the straight as I won with a bit in hand," said the 1997 champion jockey.

"I'm happy that she at least equalled the stakes record in this particular race seeing it is run in honour of her mother She's On Wheels," added the popular lightweight jockey.

Owned by the Chung family and bred by HAM Stables Limited, SAINT CECELIA, who won the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks as a three-year-old in 2009, has now won 11 races from 22 starts lifetime.

This win has pushed her stakes earnings past the $10 million mark, settling at $10.6 million.

SAINT CECELIA was forced to share the spotlight with Ellis, who rode five winners on the card to assume the lead from Cardenas in their three-cornered duel with reigning champion Omar Walker for the jockeys' championship.

Ellis laid the foundation by winning the first three races aboard MR SKILL, NUBIAN QUEEN and GUAN YU. In the end he moved to 61 wins - three clear of Cardenas, who failed to ride a winner on the card.