Fingers crossed as Desert of Malibu returns for Saint Cecelia Cup
A field of 10 runners including the talented Desert of Malibu is down to compete in the $1.4-million Saint Cecelia Cup on tomorrow’s 10-race programme.
The Open Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward will run over 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m).
The Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide analyses the runners below.
1. ATLANTIC CONVOY (CAN): (4 ch c by Stormy Atlantic – My Sweet Emily ) – Dead heated with Further and Beyond over 7 furlongs (1,400m) on February 25.
Atlantic Convoy steps up from Overnight Allowance level to compete here and should find repeating not on the table.
2. FURTHER AND BEYOND: (6 ch h by Blue Pepsi Lodge – Rumble) – Finished a dead heat with Atlantic Convoy on February 25. Further and Beyond, like Atlantic Convoy, is going to find repeating a tall order among these.
3. DESERT OF MALIBU (USA): (5 ch m by Malibu Moon – Lady Digger) – Talented foreigner who has won five races from seven starts on local soil.
Desert of Malibu reared at the starting gates on February 17 over the straight (1,000m) and never recovered when finishing fourth behind stablemate Sensational Move. Since then,
Desert of Malibu has been training out of the starting gates and if she can it right here, then this won’t be a race.
4. EMPEROROFTHECATS : (5 b g by Emperor Hall – Laws of the Cat) – Finished fourth behind Yellowstone over 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m) on March 2.
Emperorofthecats should have no issue at the distance and so an improved run is expected here.
5. DIVINE FORCE (USA): (4 b c by Alternation – Dance America ) – Has improved a lot.Divine Force comes into this race on the backend of two consecutive victories.
Divine Force last raced on February 10 over one mile (1,600m) and made one move to win th e race by a length in a time of 1:39.4. He should not find this trip too short and is expected to do well.
6. RAINSVILLE: (5 gr g by Casual Trick – Fiftyshadesofray) – Is going to left behind here.
7. MADELYN’S SUNSHINE (USA): (5 dkb/br m by Joe’s Son Joey – Madelyn’s Finest) – Has been running some good races of late. Madelyn’s Sunshine came home in second place by 5 ¼ length behind Yellowstone over 5 ½ furlongs on March 2.
Madelyn’s Sunshine, who is known for speed, is going to cause anxious moment for the favourite here.
8. A GIFT FROM BEN: (5 ch m by Here Comes Ben – Sage’s Giftbox) – Has no realistic chance of winning this one.
9. BOOTYLICIOUS: (4 b f by Key To Power – Keep The Faith) – Made an impressive seasonal debut run on March 2 when winning over the straight by a length in a time of 58.4.
Bootylicious should again run well here.
10. PRESS CONFERENCE: (6 ch g by Twilight Time – Lady Shankari) – Best left alone here.
