The progressive form of the US-bred, three-year-old colt Sir Don (USA), conditioned by former three-time champion Anthony Nunes, was highlighted in the featured Saint Cecelia Cup Open Allowance over the six-and-a-half furlongs of race seven. In control of the pace throughout, Sir Don was asked for daylight between his rivals and himself by champion Raddesh Roman from the top of the home stretch to win by nearly four lengths for a fifth win from seven starts.

A game performance facilitated the opener of apprentice Richie Shakes’ two-timer on the nine-race programme. Adira (3-1), superbly conditioned by Carlton Cunningham, raced prominently three wide to the top of the home stretch. Holding the lead from that point, Adira was tested throughout the final two of the seven-furlong exertion and just won by a half-length.

The stable of four-time champion Jason DaCosta was also in double form. Race two, over the five-furlong straight course, ended in a six-length triumph for Starraura (4-5) with apprentice Jaheim Anderson motionless inside the last 100 yards. The 3-5 favourite, The Hot Dancer, ridden by 2023 champion Reyan Lewis, bested five rivals by over four lengths at the end of race three, contested on five furlongs of the round course.

In race four, run at five furlongs straight, apprentice Romaine Gordon enjoyed his second winning opportunity of the season with Skyrizi (8-5) just under one length clear for trainer Donovan Plummer’s third success from his 22 declarations this year. Over the same course, to confirm his riding double, Shakes needed only the minimum intervention for Bubbling Warrior (5-2), conditioned by Christopher Pearson, to be the best sprinter in race five with a four-length winning margin.

The sixth event, run on a sloppy surface over five furlongs round, went to a near one-length winner in Canadian-bred filly Hi Slew Squared (4-1), ridden by Paul Francis for the opening leg of a Patrick Lynch stable double. It was the seasonal debut of Hi Slew Squared (CAN), whose previous race was on November 29 last year, and she looks well capable of paying her way going forward.

Race eight had a close finish between two US-imported debutant colts, Forever Fire (Robert Halledeen) and IAm Who I Am (Tyrese Anderson) from the stables of Jason DaCosta and Philip Feanny, respectively. The former sprinted into an early advantage on the sloppy surface to be clear early and was joined by the latter inside the last furlong.

Keeping on well under strong pressure inside the final furlong, Forever Fire (USA) repelled the sustained challenge of IAm Who I Am (USA) to score by a head to secure Dacosta’s entitlement to be in the winners’ enclosure for the second time on the day. Both horses have scope for significant improvement in the near future, and the connections deserve the best of racing luck.

Three-year-old maiden colt Strong Aveenu made its debut on March 14 of this year, and at odds of 31-1, finished 10 lengths sixth of 10 over five furlongs straight. Nearly 16 lengths seventh of 13 on March 29 was hardly any improvement. However, after steady preparation and fitted with a tongue-tie, there was a market signal in favour at odds of 7-1 against for the six-furlong closing event.

Ridden by the 2022 champion, Dane Dawkins, Strong Aveenu led early and easily, perhaps too much so, to establish an advantage that left his nine rivals in trouble from over three furlongs out. Always clear and travelling on the bridle, the winning advantage at the line for Strong Aveenu was three lengths to close the Patrick Lynch stable double in style.

The Training Feat Award is presented to Patrick Lynch for the performances Hi Slew Squared and Strong Aveenu, whose owners got the benefit of the skill, patience, and experience of this perennial top 10 conditioner and former jockey. With the first three to finish in the opening event covered by one length, Adira is deemed to have delivered the Best Winning Gallop, and Richie Shakes, having had to deploy his full skill set for this victory, takes the Jockeyship Award.

Dane Dawkins celebrates his win aboard Strong Aveenu. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)