G1 Potential for New Starspangledbanner G3 Winner
The Group III Prix Six Perfections (1400m) at Deauville on Sunday produced an exciting new stakes-winner for Starspangledbanner when Laulne (2f Starspangledbanner x Lady Francesca, by Montjeu) nabbed her first Black Type win.
Chasing her third win on the trot following a debut third back in May, the Yann Barberot trained filly was strong to the line holding off Calyx filly Classic Flower to win by half a length.
“We were hopeful beforehand, as the filly had strengthened and gained experience from her three previous starts,” Yann Barberot said.
“We are at home here and she had trained well for that on this same course. She is obviously good, but she also showed there that she is a fighter. We will try not to squeeze the lemon dry and save something for the good races later on like the [G1 Prix Marcel] Boussac. Why not? She may or may not run in three weeks' time here in the [G2 Prix du] Calvados.”
Retained to race by her breeder Gerard Augustin-Normand, Laulne is a half-sister to imported Australian stakes-winner Bartholomew Dias from stakes-placed Montjeu mare Lady Francesca, a half-sister to Group III winner Purr Along and stakes-winner Katawi.
Laulne is the 33rd stakes-winner for Starspangledbanner, who returns to Australia this spring at a fee of $33,000.