Imbongi stars in Criterion

South African raider Imbongi had too many guns for the opposition in the John Bovington Memorial Criterion Stakes at Newmarket.Completing a big-race double for South African jockey Kevin Shea, the five-year-old was always prominent before stamping his authority on the Group Three contest.Despite drifting in the betting, and stumbling shortly after the start, Mike De Kock's charge (8-1) did nothing wrong once the race started in earnest, coming home a length and a quarter clear of Huntdown, with Balthazaar's Gift third.Shea said: "He came out on his nose but he recovered well. He ran a good race and it's very exciting. He's won two Guineas in South Africa but his last race was against a very strong field."He's a very versatile horse, but I'd have to leave that (his next assignment) to the boss."Shea has initiated his brace on Clive Brittain's Jira, who showed blistering pace to win the Listed Sunley Empress Stakes.The well-bred filly, who finished seventh in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, came from last to first to defeat the pacesetting Jeanie Johnston by a neck.Shea said of the 15-2 shot: "I took a knock at the gates, but he picked up nicely and I bided my time from the back. I was quite confident entering the final furlong - the others had perhaps gone too quick."All The Aces, trained by Michael Jarvis, made the most of the ease in the ground to land the totesport.com Fred Archer Stakes earlier on the card.Jockey Michael Hills said: "He really gallops and he's strong in a finish. He's had his problems but he really enjoys getting his toe in."