WITH the Diamond Mile firmly lodged on the calendar, tomorrow’s six-and-a-half-furlong race, the St Cecelia Cup, will provide the perfect rehearsal for horses and trainers who will more than likely be preparing for the inaugural running of the Mile in December.

Most of the horses entered for tomorrow’s St Cecelia Cup have been battling against each other in recent times, with honours being shared mostly between Fortuneonehundred and Traditional Prince. It was Traditional Prince with a searing run on the inside rails courtesy of Aaron Chatrie who was just able to catch and beat Fortuneonehundred in the Betting Gaming and Lotteries trophy on August 1 over five and a half furlongs. Chatrie is now suspended with Shamaree Muir taking over the riding duties. Then on August 15, Fortuneonehundred repaired the damage with a telling win in the Seek Exercise Book Trophy (six and half furlongs). They meet again in the St Cecelia with the handicaps favouring Traditional Prince as Fortuneonehundred goes up by five pounds to join Traditional Prince with the top weight of 126 lbs.

By no means is the race confined to these two. Mom’s Student, the Oaks winner, is trying to find her way around at the Open Allowance level as Scoop Jordyne is indicating a noticeable return to form, having finished third behind Traditional Prince and fourth behind Fortuneonehundred in the two Cup races already mentioned. Scoop Jordyne now benefits from a seven-pound pull in the weights which should see him once again in contention. He will be close to the pace, coming hard in the closing stages.

Pete’swildone returns after racing on Saturday in the level above where again he found his stablemate Uppa Tune too hot to handle. Now back in company where he can be more effective, Pete’swildone sits on the same weight (121lbs) as he did when finishing a good third behind Fortuneonehundred and Traditional Prince on August 15. Pete’swildone definitely has a shot, is in good order, and might just be in the mood to show his talent.

Lady Shankari is coming up in class and should take lessons from these more seasoned campaigners, while Timeforarms is a very interesting entry. Timeforarms defeated Traditional Prince in June over six furlongs, and with his well-known knack of coming from off the pace, the St Cecelia might well be right up his street with a torrid pace expected from Fortuneonehundred, Lady Shankari and possibly Pete’swildone. Do not leave out Timeforarms from your calculations.

Western Rose is here for the ride, with Phineas always having a chance of repeating his run of June 20 when he delivered the goods, defeating Campesino and Traditional Prince going seven furlongs.

A hot and competitive race in the making, with Scoop Jordyne getting the vote.