Sir Don back to winning ways with St Cecelia run

United States-bred SIR DON made the most of sloppy conditions to outrun fellow American GOODBYE FIREFLY in yesterday’s Saint Cecelia Trophy at six and a half furlongs, dampening an expected showdown with local-bred MOJITO, who failed to fire on his first outing since December’s Mouttet Mile.

Back to his best after two surprise losses broke his three-race win streak recorded as a two-year-old, SIR DON logged his second consecutive victory in three weeks by bolting from the gate with Raddesh Roman, fending off GOODBYE FIREFLY and afterwards WALL STREET TRADER, running the rail into the straight.

MOJITO, last year’s Jamaica Cup winner, appeared not to fancy the sloppy track on his return from a near five-month break, darting to his right at the start before seeking shelter from mud being kicked at him by heading to the rail.

Urged by Bebeto Harvey to pick up the pace, MOJITO stayed fourth whereas 4-5 favourite SIR DON accelerated off the turn to kick away, beating GOODBYE FIREFLY by three and three-quarter lengths.

ZULU WARRIOR rallied late, going past MOJITO to get within a nose of denying GOODBYE FIREFLY second. SIR DON won in 1:19.0, booking a ticket to grade-one company for his next start.

Claiming rider Richie Shakes notched a two-tier, opening the nine-race programme aboard 3-1 chance ADIRA and returning to land the fifth at five furlongs straight with BUBBLING WARRIOR at odds of 5-2.

STARRAURA started a double for champion trainer Jason DaCosta, who also won the eighth with United States-bred debutant, FOREVER FIRE, who rallied with Robert Halledeen to outfinish 3-5 favourite IAM WHO I AM, who proved a handful for claiming rider Tyrese Anderson, darting to the inner rail midway the five-furlong straight event.

Racing continues this afternoon with another nine-race programme.