3 minute read
The Michael Clements trained Celavi bounce back in a big way on the weekend when taking out the Group 3 Merlion Trophy.
A disappointing (if you backed her) fourth in her return, Celavi displayed good improvement second up when virtually leading throughout in the feature event.
A winner of four of her last five starts she is clearly trending the right way and capped off another great season for the Clements' stable.
At her best when able to find the front they elected to take a sit first up which looked to work against her.
On Saturday Louis-Philippe Beuzelin had different ideas when pressing forward from the wide draw.
The Leslie Khoo trained Fame Star did hunt through along the inside and held the lead briefly before Celavi took over passing the 800m.
Travelling well into the straight, Beuzelin held her as long as possible before asking for the supreme effort inside the 300m.
Fighting off Fame Star shortly after she held a decent margin to the line to score by just over a length.
Stablemate Starlight was unable to wear her down but still worked home well to grab second, landing Clements the quinella.
Now rated 101 by Timeform, Celavi equalled the mark achieved by Excelling who won the race last year.
Star galloper Spalato remains the highest rated winner of the event when winning by just under four lengths in 2016.
Rated 123 it's a quick reminder of just how talented he was and how we were robbed of one of our stars with the son of Elusive City struggling with injuries not long after.