3 minute read
Carla's Way shows a smart turn of foot to land the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes.
Simon and Ed Crisford look to have an exciting few days ahead of them with Vandeek lining up in tomorrow's Middle Park Stakes, and the Newmarket-based handlers kicked it off in fine style with Carla's Way proving too strong for her rivals in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes.
The pace looked a generous one in the early stages, with Leicester maiden winner Spiritual setting off briskly at the head of affairs. James Doyle, keen not to allow the leader too much rope out in front, tracked the Gosden-trained runner in second, with a sizeable gap back to the remaining group of four.
As the tempo continued to lift approaching the two-furlong marker, it soon became clear that Carla's Way was travelling best, and it seemed only a matter of time before James Doyle would press the button on the 7/2 chance.
The daughter of Starspangledbanner struck the front in effortless style with a furlong to run and quickly put the race to bed with a taking turn of foot. Star Stakes winner Shuwari, who was sent off the 13/8 market leader stepping up in grade, stayed on well from towards the rear of the field but could only close to two-and-a-quarter lengths.
Ed Crisford said: "She jumped out and got a lovely tow into the race. They were going pretty quick as they were going 11-second furlongs which were proper fractions up front. To quicken off that fast pace takes a good filly, and I think we have seen that today.
"She travelled super into the race and came up the hill well and lengthened to the line really nicely. She is an exciting prospect.
"There is a lot of New Approach in her and she is a big, tall, scopey filly and for sure next year she should train on.
"In the early part of the race I was slightly worried how quick they were going but to quicken off a pace like that you have got to have a good engine underneath you.
A trip to Santa Anita could be on the cards following that impressive performance with the Breeders' Cup Fillies' Juvenile Turf a potential target.
He added: "She is in the Fillies Mile, but I think Santa Anita would suit this filly well and she likes quick ground, as we saw today so we have got to seriously think about that.
"Until I speak to the owner [Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa], and we make a plan and a decision, I'm not sure what we do but I think she would suit Santa Anita for sure."
Paddy Power introduced Carla's Way at 14/1 for the mile two-year-old juvenile contest at Santa Anita in November, with the same firm making her a 12/1 chance [from 40/1] for the 1000 Guineas back on the Rowley Mile next May.
A return to the Rowley Mile for the bet365 Fillies' Mile on October 13th could be on the cards for runner-up Shuwari according to her trainer Ollie Sangster.
He said: "I was very happy, and she ran great. I suppose the way the race panned out she had a lot to do but she stayed on well.
"It was just the way the race panned out, but she came home very strongly. We will see how the next week goes but we could think about coming back for the Fillies' Mile.
"She had been off for 64 days and she will come on again so will definitely think about the Fillies' Mile."
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