Victorious Forever and the Crisfords unearthed a smart talent yesterday as Señorita Bonita won what looked to be a hot Nottingham two-year-old maiden.
The daughter of Starspangledbanner was well backed into favouritism, breaking away in rear initially without cover. She was coaxed into the race by Oisin Murphy, tracking Wathnan’s Terminology. Still under hands and heels, she picked up very smartly to chin the prominent racing Fast Track of Andrew Balding.
The pair pulled three lengths clear of the Wathnan-owned third, who won this with the subsequent Queen Mary winner Leovanni. They also won the race with Zelaina last year, who was sent off short for the Queen Mary. Karl Burke was thwarted bidding for a fourth straight win in the race, as Queen Of Christmas finished fifth.
It looked to be a strong race on paper, and Royal Ascot looks destined to be the next step. Speaking to Racing TV after, Simon Crisford said: “She was learning on the job and had to do it the hard way. But she’s a very nice filly with plenty of scope for the future. She’s got a great temperament and is very nice. She’s got pace and class and whatever we saw today she will be much better next time.
“Midway through the race it wasn’t looking too good and she was probably on the wrong side of the track. Her turn of foot was exceptional and whether she is a five or six-furlong filly remains open. We’ll talk to the owners about plans and see what they would like to do.”
Queen Mary and Albany options both remain open
Having showed speed for five and stamina for six, both the fillies contests are a possibility for Señorita Bonita. She’s bred to be talented over middle distance tips on the dam-side. Victorious Racing’s manager Chris Wall was highly impressed, and suggested the extra furlong would be no problem.
“She’s a nice filly to be involved with and one with a big future. Simon and the team have done well to get her this far in such a short space of time. She was quite wintery in her coat at the sales and it’s the same again now.
“She’s tested their patience a bit to get her ready but showed a great turn of foot there. She was bought to go to Ascot and that’s what we’ll have to do. Whether we go for the Queen Mary or the Albany. We’ll have to have a think about which direction we go.
“I think she could stretch out to six as she was strong through the line today. She was a bit green early. But was stuck out on a wing and had to do things the hard way.”