Saint Cecelia’s 13th straight
It’s win number 13. Saint Cecelia established a new record for consecutive wins when she romped home to victory in the Lady Geeta Trophy over 1,200 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Ridden by former champion jockey Shane Ellis for the 11th consecutive time, Saint Cecelia was put in front from the off and beat back a feeble challenge from Palace Gold, under Paul Francis, before taking control of the event. Having things his own way, a smiling Ellis then coasted home by 5 1/2 lengths for the win that erased the 17-year-old record of 12 wins held by War Zone. Her nearest rival at the line was stablemate The Guv, a 9-1 chance ridden by Dick Cardenas.
Trained by Spencer Chung for owners Robert F Chung & WP Valentine Chung, Saint Cecelia ran the $1,188,000 event in a time of 1:12.1 minutes.
Showing satisfaction from the achievement he attained with Saint Cecelia, Chung was philosophical: “Well that is how it goes. Records are made to be broken. I’m sure one day another good horse will come along who itself will brake this record. So that is how it goes on and on.”
Chung also added that the reigning and two-time Horse-Of-The-Year deserves the honour as “she is a real top-class filly. She always does what you ask her to do and you can ask nothing more”.
There was a stewards’ inquiry which involved Saint Cecelia, but nothing came of it with early chaser Palace Gold finishing third at odds of 5-1 and the 18-1 bet and stable companion of the winner completing the frame under jockey Kerry-Gayl Robinson.
Saint Cecelia, a seven-year-old chestnut mare by Burning Marque out of She’s On Wheels (Bates Motel) and bred by Ham Stables Ltd, earned $648,650 as the winner’s share for her 22nd win from 33 career starts for a bankroll of $19,292,450 lifetime.
While no trainer managed more than a single win on the nine-race card, leading jockey Omar Walker was again in the riding spotlight with two wins. Walker had the leg up on Scoop Jordyne for trainer Leroy Biggs in the second race, and Uncle Ken in the fourth for trainer Conroy Tulloch.
