DESERT of Malibu, in a performance that can only be described as extraordinary, came from last position to win the $1.4-million St Catherine Cup feature race at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Desert of Malibu reared up shorty after the starting gate opened and nearly unseated her rider, but being a genuine energetic competitor the five-year-old, American-bred chestnut mare was able to stride forward in time to nip Madelyn’s Sunshine close to home for the victory.

The Gary Subratie trainee won the Open Allowance race for three-year-olds and upward over six furlongs (1,200m) in a time of 1:12.3 (22.2 x 46.1).

At the start of the race Madelyn’s Sunshine (Tevin Foster) led Emperorofthecats (Shavon Townsend) and Press Conference (Roger Hewitt). The runners’ order remained unchanged as they approached the half-mile (800m) turn, with Desert of Malibu continuing to lag behind the field under Dane Dawkins.

When it appeared all was lost in the stretch as Madelyn’s Sunshine kicked on in what appeared to be an easy win for the Jason DaCosta youngster, Desert of Malibu burst under maximum urgings from Dawkins, to ensure she has now passed the winning post in front in all six races on home soil. Her official record, however, reads five victories from six starts since her prior win was disqualified.

Emperorofthecats held his gallop well to finish in third place, some 6¾ lengths behind second-place Madelyn’s Sunshine.

Meanwhile, trainer Carlton Cunningham and jockey Raddesh Roman won two races each to lead their respective categories on the 10-race card.

Cunningham and Roman won the third race with Zabratone. Cunningham completed his double by saddling Speedie Hare (Samantha Fletcher) in the fifth race, while Roman had previously booted home Lord Caesar in the second race for trainer Anthony “Baba” Nunes.

Racing continues next weekend with races on Saturday and Sunday.