Coolmore
Senorita Bonita (2f Starspangledbanner - Belicious, by Ruler Of The World) continued her sire’s flying form with a first Group 2 win in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket on Friday. The 900,000gns Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale top lot made a winning debut at Nottingham in June and followed that up with a valiant second to Victorious in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot later that month. Ridden by Oisin Murphy, Senorita Bonita settled behind the leaders early on. Despite being slightly hampered after a furlong, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained filly made up ground and showed a fine turn of foot to lead from a furlong out and score by three-quarters of a length. In second was last month's Group 3 Albany Stakes winner Libertango (by No Nay Never). Ed Crisford said: “They went no pace early, she got a bit of a bump and that set her alight a bit, but Oisin settled her lovely. Her turn of foot was electric today – once he said go, she picked up seriously well. “It was a very good performance. After Ascot we felt like she definitely wanted six furlongs and we weren’t really ever worried about that. “I’d say we’ll go for the Prix Morny. She has a penalty in Group 2s now and she showed today she’s a very good filly, so I think we’ll give her a go in Deauville.” Murphy added: “She's a sprinter and I think six [furlongs] is perfect, and it would be a lot easier for her if she had speed to run at from the get-go. “She came from Mark Flannery in Ireland, and he thought the world of her. Obviously, she sold very well. She's another daughter of Starspangledbanner, we see Precise later, so they're flying and they're both chestnut.” Senorita Bonita was bred by Hawes Stud and Churchtown House Stud.