The Group I Falmouth Stakes (1m) for fillies and mares had a hot favoruite at Newmarket overnight in champion Starspangledbanner filly Precise, but she showed herself to be looking for a longer trip now when not able to catch the in-form Juddmonte entry Blue Bolt.
Having won the Group I Irish 1000 Guineas and Royal Ascot Coronation Stakes, Precise was shooting for her third straight G1, but she just didn’t have the brilliance to match the Andrew Balding trained Blue Bolt.
The four year-old daughter of Blue Point finished last year with a second in the Group I Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket and has been untouchable this year with wins at Goodwood and Royal Ascot coming into this assignment.
Ridden by Colin Keane, she powered clear to win by two lengths and has the overall record of six wins and two seconds from nine starts with her lone unplaced effort coming on debut over 7f on an all weather surface over 7f last April.
“I thought we might get a little further, but on today's evidence, I think a mile is Blue Bolt’s trip. I think the Matron Stakes (Leopardstown September 12) is the obvious target now, but whether we go to Deauville [Prix Rothschild G1 ] in between, we'll have to see. Anything is possible for her long-term target this season. Obviously, she goes on any ground, which is also a help,” said Andrew Balding.
Blue Bolt was purchased for €400,000 from the Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale by Sackville Donald for Juddmonte and is a half-sister to stakes-winners Sea Theme and Sky Angel being the best of four winners from six foals to race from Group III winner Mayhem.
There is plenty of stamina in this female family with third dam Group I winner Cerulean Sky.
Blue Bolt is the fourth Group I winner among 31 stakes-winners for Blue Point, who shuttled to Darley Victoria for five seasons.
Not to finish the day empty handed, Starspanngledbanner added a new stakes-winner to his tally when exciting two year-old filly Senorita Bonita improved off her second at Royal Ascot in the Group II Queen Mary Stakes to win the Group II Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (6f).
Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford and ridden by Oisin Murphy, Senorita Bonita scored by three-quarters of a length over Royal Ascot Group III Albany Stakes winner Libertango.
“They went no pace early, it was messy and she got a bit of a bump which that set her alight a bit but Oisin just settled her lovely,” Ed Crisford said.
“Her turn of foot was electric today and it was a good performance.
“After Royal Ascot, we felt that she wanted six furlongs and I would say we would go for the Prix Morny next. She has a penalty in Group Twos now and she showed today that she is a very good filly. I think we will go to Deauville then on to the Cheveley Park.”
Senorita Bonita was the star at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale where she made 900,000 guineas when bought by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock to top the sale and runs for Victorious Forever.
With two wins and a second from three starts, she is the first winner for Belicious, an unraced three-quarter sister by Ruler of the World to Group II winner Sub Rose (dam of Group winners Wubway Dancer and Secret Advisor) and stakes-winner Astonishing (dam of Group winner Dr Omran).
Senorita Bonita is the 62nd stakes-winner for Aussie bred Starspangledbanner, who is having an outstanding year.
