Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Ellis - file

FORMER CHAMPION jockey Shane Ellis rode three winners at Caymanas Park yesterday, including MISS RUTH and SA DA BREEZE who went wire to wire in their respective trophy races.

The unbeaten two-year-old filly MISS RUTH confirmed her superiority over highly fancied WESTERN REPORT with a runaway victory in the opening race over 1100 metres for the Keeling Memorial Cup for native-bred juveniles

Unbeaten in two starts, MISS RUTH, a speedy bay filly by Western Classic out of Theia, is owned and bred by Ruth Hussey and trained by her son, Percy. She was the 1/2 favourite in a field of five.

Later in the afternoon, Ellis guided 3-2 second favourite SEA DA BREEZE to a decisive victory over the even-money favourite MELINDAGATA under champion jockey Omar Walker in the $390,000 - $340,000 claiming race for the Ossie Steele Memorial Cup co-feature over 1200 metres, and also won the fourth race for maidens aboard 3-5 favourite SPACEMAN for trainer Anthony Nunes.

SEA DA BREEZE, who is owned by Raphael Gordon, broke winging in the six-strong field and led comfortably from the Omar Walker-ridden MELINDAGATA.

Although drifting out in the straight, the American six-year-old mare was able to thwart a feeble challenge from MELINDAGATA on the inside approaching the distance to beat her by 1 3/4 lengths.

Significantly, SEA DA BREEZE provided second-generation trainer Ryan Darby with his 100th career win. Darby, son of veteran trainer Robert Darby Sr., has been training since 1998 and although it could be said he has had a checkered career after a promising start, the young trainer was upbeat about attaining the milestone.

Aiming for second hundred

"My goal is to achieve my second hundred much faster than the first," he said. "It won't be long in coming if I get the support of good owners. I have the know-how. So, if I can get the horses, success is guaranteed," he said.

Meanwhile, Walker failed to ride a winner on the 11-race programme and this was a day he will want to forget in a hurry.

Starting the day only one away from his 200th career winner, Walker came up empty-handed aboard eight rides. What's more, he took a heavy fall from his mount QUEEN OF THE SEA (a chance ride) in the early stages of the eighth race over the straight.

Then in the nightpan, Race No 2 in the second CTL Claiming Series over 1400 metres, he looked to have the race sewn up aboard 7-5 favourite SOUND OF SPEED when clear of rivals early in the straight, only to be denied by the fast-finishing 7-1 chance SAMBA DANCER with apprentice Lenroy Collins aboard.

Collins and in-form Dane Nelson rode two winners each, Nelson booting home the 90-1 outsider MEDSTAR for trainer Steadman Curtis in the eighth race for maidens over the straight five course.