AFTER narrowly winning the Gold Cup on December 9, Saint Cecelia returned for her four-year-old career start in dominant mood, beating a good field to win the $822,000 Abe Issa Memorial Cup feature by 3 1/4 lengths at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Earlier, first-time runner Mr Speed, the 1-2 favourite ridden by Omar Walker, won the Mercury Sprint, a maiden special weight contest for native-bred three-year-old colts and geldings.

Trained by Wayne DaCosta for owner/breeder David Crawford, Mr Speed ran 1,000 metres straight in a time of 1:02.1 in the seven-horse field. He earned $390,400 as the winner’s share.

Saint Cecelia, installed the 4-5 favourite and carrying 51.0kg and claiming apprentice Aaron Chatrie, ran 1,200 metres in a time of 1:11.2 in the Stakes field of seven, three-year-olds and upward to open her 2010 winning account.

Following the instruction from the trainer, Chatrie stayed close to the leader Ministerofjustice (5-2) sandwiched by Ahwhofah (9-5) and Honeyofalady (9-5) on the outside.

However, he took close orders passing the 800-metre pole and then sent Saint Cecelia into the lead entering the final 600 metres and henceforth left the field to battle for the minor places, with Honeyofalady closing fast under Dick Cardenas. But the imported filly was still 3 1/4 lengths adrift when the wire intervened and settled for second.

The Bomber (14-1), partnered by Peter Bryan, who was never far away throughout, outmuscled Ahwhofah for third money as the top-weighted filly with the big weight was not enjoying the swirling head-on wind in the straight after turning for home and lost fourth spot to Quick And Gray, who came running on at odds of 26-1 with Georgina Sergeon in the saddle.

Pleased with the “good performance” of the winner, trainer Spencer Chung said he “was always confident that she (Saint Cecelia) would win.

“She had the weight in her favour and trained pretty well for the event. She is basically a sprinter and looks to be the best at her game at present,” said Chung.

Owned by Stephen A & WP Valentine Chung, Saint Cecelia is by Burning Marque out of She’s On Wheels (Bates Motel) and bred at Ham Stables Ltd.

It was the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks winner’s sixth win from seven career starts and she pocketed the sum of $448,800 as the winner’s share to bankroll $5,788,300 lifetime for owners.

Meanwhile, Walker rode three winners on the 10-race card to move his tally to nine to take over the lead in the jockeys’ championship by one more than Shane Ellis, who is on eight.