Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Taking over the lead from the front-running MISS RUTH approaching the 600-metre pole, the 1000 Guineas winner SAINT CECELIA romped home by four lengths in the 70th running of the (Bigga) Jamaica Oaks over 2000 metres for native bred three-year-old fillies at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Installed a howling 3-5 favourite with former champion jockey Shane Ellis again in the saddle, SAINT CECELIA is now on course for the June 13 Jamaica Derby, where she will attempt to emulate last year's winner ALSAFRA who not only went on to win the Triple Crown, but the 'Horse of the Year' award as well.

Given a copybook ride by Ellis, SAINT CECELIA chased long-time MISS RUTH (9-5) under world renown Panamanian jockey Fernando Jara passing the stands for the first time, before mounting her challenge approaching the half mile. She went past MISS RUTH approaching the 600-metre pole and stayed on strongly up the lane for another impressive win.

The 33-1 outsider ANASTASIA closed well on the rails under Richie Mitchell to outbattle PATARA by three-quarter length for second, as MISS RUTH faded rapidly up the lane to finish a well beaten seventh, obviously failing to stay the distance.

Lost badly

Bred by the Ham Stables Limited, SAINT CECELIA, a chestnut filly by Burning Marque out of the Bates Motel mare She's On Wheels, is owned jointly by Stephen and Valentine Chung.

Unraced as a two-year-old, she lost badly to BELLA in a maiden sprint on her debut in February, but has won her three subsequent races to be the season's leading stakes winner with $3.4 million.

Ellis said he was always confident of winning and had no concerns going into the race:

"I had the race won from six furlongs out ... . The filly was travelling sweetly on the bridle at that stage and when I asked her at the halfway stage, she glided down on the leader and disposed of her approaching the final bend.

"She wandered a bit leaving the furlong pole upon seeing foot marks in the track but in the end, she was staying on strongly. This filly can even go two miles and I can't wait for the Derby," said the second generation jockey who is the son of former three-time champion Winston "Nero' Ellis.

Meanwhile, the reigning champion sprinter AHWHOFAH (9-5) ran on strongly from below the distance to catch and beat the fleet-footed favourite OUTSTANDING by 1 1/2 in the Lady Geeta Trophy (grade one) supporting feature over 1200 metres contested by only four horses. From the stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, AHWHOFAH provided champion and leading jockey Omar Walker with the first of two winners on the 11-race card, which also saw Jara winning locally for the first time aboard 2-1 chance THE REAL FURY in the ninth race over 1820 metres.

Yesterday being Ladies' Day at the track, more than a dozen young women who have excelled in various fields were honoured by CTL and the Wisynco Group. They included entertainers D'Angel, Tessanne and Tami Chynn, Olympian Sherone Simpson, former Senator Deika Morrison, fashion designer Melissa Dunkley and media personality Miss Kitty, among others.