Carla's Way (Starspangledbanner) wins the Gr.2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket

Exciting New 2YO SW for Starspangledbanner

Working through a nice book of mares in Australia this spring, Starspangledbanner sired a new juvenile stakes-winner in the UK on Friday when Carla’s Way (2c Starspangledbanner x Sulaalaat, by New Approach) scored a dominant win in the Group II Rockfel Stakes (7f) at Newmarket.

Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford and ridden by James Doyle, she improved on her last start second in Group company to race clear of the favourite Shawari to score by more than two lengths taking her overall record to two wins and a second from four starts.

“Carla’s Way 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,” said Ed Crisford.

“She travelled super into the race and came up the hill well and lengthened to the line really nicely. She is an exciting prospect. She is in the G1 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.”

Carla’s Way was bought by Stroud Coleman for £350,000 at the Goffs Breeze Up Sale this year and runs for Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa. She is the first winner for Sulaalaat, a winning New Approach mare from the family of Group I winners Summoner, Compton Admiral, The Fugue and Limato.

She is the 34th stakes-winner for Starspangledbanner, who stands at a fee of $33,000.