Carla's Way could be on her way from East Anglia to the West Coast of California after registering her biggest win in the Rockfel Stakes (G2) on day two of the Cambridgeshire meeting Sept. 29.
Watch Carla's Way secure her spot in the #BreedersCup Juvenile Fillies Turf with victory in the #WinAndYoureIn Rockfel Stakes at @NewmarketRace!pic.twitter.com/J3QzUvNiOi
— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) September 29, 2023
Trainers Simon and Ed Crisford could not have scripted the race better for their flashy chestnut, who was the only one to sit close to the trailblazing Spiritual in the seven-furlong contest.
The race ended up being two for the price of one as the front pair raced well clear of the other four, which included 13-8 favorite Shuwari and Aidan O'Brien's Ylang Ylang.
Jockey James Doyle soon sent Carla's Way clear and the result was never in doubt from the Bushes as the chasing pack had too much ground to make up.
The Rockfel is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In event for the Nov. 3 Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) at Santa Anita Park, for which the winner is a possible and was given a 14-1 opening quote by Paddy Power.
Ed Crisford said: "She jumped well, tracked the pace, and got a lovely tow into it. They were going quick enough up front, at 11 seconds per furlong. To quicken off that pace takes a good filly and she showed that today.
"She took it up two furlongs out and lengthened all the way to the line. She's an exciting prospect."
The winner is owned by Bahraini Sheikh Duaij Al Khalifa, and Crisford added: "I think Santa Anita will suit this filly well and she likes quick ground so the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Filly Turf is a strong possibility. But we need to speak to the owner before we decide on any plans."
Looking ahead, he said: "She has plenty of scope for next year, and 100% I think she'll train on. We see her as a One Thousand Guineas filly, but whether she'll get a mile we'll have to see."
Carla's Way also holds an entry in the Fillies' Mile Stakes (G1) back at Newmarket Oct. 13, for which she was cut to 5-1 (from 14-1) by Paddy Power.
Doyle said: "I was happy to go forward if no one else wanted to so I was pleased when Kieran (Shoemark, Spiritual's rider) went forward to give us a bit of cover, which was nice. She's quite racy and loved the ground out there and got first run on them.
"She takes a bit of managing so we'll see how she comes out of today before any plans, but the Breeders' Cup is a possibility. She jumps well from the gate and travels which you need at somewhere like Santa Anita."
