Ascot Aspirations For Smart Starspangledbanner Filly

Soprano (2f Starspangledbanner - Lealas Daughter, by Excelebration) gave connections reason to dream of Royal Ascot entries when justifying favouritism on debut at Newmarket.

William Buick took the ride aboard George Boughey’s representative in the fillies’ maiden over five furlongs and raced prominently throughout. Pushed along approaching the final furlong, the chesnut soon led and kept on well to score by a length and three quarters, with another quarter lengths back to Indispensable (Ten Sovereigns) in third.

Soprano is owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, whose racing manager Emily Scott later commented, “William said she is very smart and hopefully she can make the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.”

The 100,000gns yearling buy was bred by Empire Bloodstock and is the first foal out of an unraced half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Obviously (Choisir).

Meanwhile at Cork, Fozzy Stack continued his success with Starspangledbanner when winning the six furlong maiden with the promising Two Stars (3g Starspangledbanner - Glowing Star, by Clodovil).

Third on debut last month, the bay was reunited with Mark Enright on his second start and was ridden to make most of the running. Ridden when challenged after the two furlong pole, he kept on well to beat Roaming Star (Starspangledbanner) by a length and a quarter.

“He did it well and is still green,” Stack said after the race. “"He was a bit unlucky here the last day when he fell out of the gates and is a fast horse. He will develop into a nice sprinter in time.”

A full-brother to black-type sprinter King Of Stars (Starspangledbanner), Two Stars is raced by breeders Churchtown House Stud and Liam Butler. His win provides a nice update for his Churchill half-sister, who was bought by Castlhyde Stud at last year’s foal sales for €88,000.