It was an eighth straight Prix Morny for the away team at Deauville on Sunday as Señorita Bonita continued her excellent season for Simon & Ed Crisford.
The daughter of Starspangledbanner has tasted defeat once in four starts, finishing second to Victorious at Royal Ascot. She beat fellow Royal Ascot winner, Libertango, last time out who franked that form in the Lowther Stakes last week.
It looked a particularly deep renewal of the race, featuring another Royal Ascot winner in Orthodox. The home team was represented by unbeaten Night of Thunder filly Kosuma, and listed winner Sioux Nation. Amo Racing’s Tribuca in winless since debut, but was a fair second in the Railway Stakes
Richmond winner Man’s Best Friend fur further bolstered the contest, alongside stablemate Carry The Flag.
Coolmore pacemakers have become a prominent factor in Group 1’s this season, such was the case when Carry The Flag set a good gallop some seven lengths clear in front. Held up in rear,
Oisin Murphy exuded confidence under Señorita Bonita and delivered a scintillating turn of foot.
The race was quickly put to bed, as Señorita Bonita drew four lengths clear with the others unable to match her change of gear.
“All roads lead to the Cheveley Park now” – Simon Crisford
It was a second Prix Morny for the Crisford’s after Vandeek in 2023, and this filly looks similarly spectacular. Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, Simon Crisford said: She’s shown a great turn of front. Obviously they set some very good fractions up front but she finished off super well – she galloped out strongly.
“She was a little bit slow out of the gates and behind the bridle early. But they were going quick and the race set up for the closers. And she was the best of the closers.
“At halfway I briefly thought we might have a mountain to climb here. But she’s got such a good turn of foot. At the furlong pole you could see she was going to come home strong.”
Vandeek went on to land the Group 1 Middle Park next time out, and the Cambridgeshire meeting is in mind for Señorita Bonita.
Crisford continued: “All roads lead to the Cheveley Park now at the end of September and that was a fantastic performance.
“It was a deep, deep renewal and it was a really, really pleasing effort and she’s looked really impressive there. Any Group One is fantastic to win and we are all just delighted. It’s a great testament to the staff back at home and everyone involved. It’s great to win for Shaikh Nasse and Shaikh Khalid.”