Senorita Bonita Wins Morny; Is Newmarket Clash Next?

Senorita Bonita (IRE) stamped her class on a good-looking field Aug. 23 for the Prix Morny (G1) at Deauville, streaking to a 4-length success that left both her trainers and jockey brimming with compliments, although not necessarily on the same page as to where she might go in the future. The daughter of Starspangledbanner (AUS) was a standout in the parade ring beforehand—her six rivals could not match her for size and strength—and in the immediate future racing fans can look forward to a mouthwatering rematch with Lowther Stakes (G2) heroine Libertango (IRE) and the blisteringly fast Sun Goddess (IRE) in the Cheveley Park Stakes (G1) at Newmarket in late September. "She's a lovely filly and I'm hoping she can have a really good 3-year-old campaign as well," said joint-trainer Simon Crisford. Pushed on whether Senorita Bonita had the aptitude for a mile, he added: "I think so. She's out of a mare who's by Ruler Of The World and it's a staying family. "Physically she doesn't look like a stayer—she looks like a 6-furlong filly. I think next year we will definitely be trying her over the mile." Before that comes the Cheveley Park, and with the first two group 1 juvenile races of the European season falling to fillies, that promises to be a serious affair. Crisford said: "She's got an amazing turn of foot and was a bit slowly away today and a bit behind the bridle as they were going quick in front. But her turn of foot is electric and she finished off the race superbly well. "She's a proper filly and we head to the Cheveley Park. We're going to face Sun Goddess and Libertango and that will be one of the highlights of the autumn season." Oisin Murphy was in agreement as to Senorita Bonita's explosive acceleration, although he seemed less convinced about his partner's ability to stretch out to a mile. The rider said: "She has an awful lot of speed, she can do 43 miles per hour on the bridle so who knows if she'll stay a mile? If she does she's obviously very good. But let's see what she can do at 2." Murphy was happy to bide his time as Ballydoyle pacemaker Carry The Flag (IRE) opened up a big lead under Ronan Whelan, with the pair making the best of their way home and clinging on for second at the expense of Kosuma (FR). "She has a very good turn of foot, you know, to compare her to other good fillies I've ridden in Porta Fortuna and Alcohol Free—she's certainly towards their level," said Murphy. "And I'm delighted for her owners. I've had three group 1 winners this year for Victorious Forever so thanks to Shaikh Khalid and Shaikh Nasser." Aidan O'Brien withdrew Great Barrier Reef (IRE) earlier in the day after the Coventry Stakes (G2) winner spiked a bit of a temperature, and reported that Ryan Moore had suggested a step up in trip for Man's Best Friend (IRE), who finished fourth. The trainer said: "Ryan's horse ran well and he said he'd like 7 furlongs, while Carry The Flag would be happy to go back to 5." Three fillies faced the starter and Kosuma only just failed to reel in Carry The Flag for second.