Talented Starspangledbanner Filly Gains Second Stakes Success
Group 1 performer Soprano (4f Starspangledbanner – Lealas Daughter, by Excelebration) returned on Saturday to gain her second blacktype success in the Listed Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes at Kempton.
The George Boughey-trained chesnut was sent off favourite under William Buick, who rode her to make all and began to quicken approaching the final furlong. She ran on well to deny the fast-finishing Crimson Advocate, previously a Queen Mary winner, by a nose, with another two and a half lengths back to Irish raider Rubies From Burma (American Pharoah) in third.
Representing owners Highclere Racing, Harry Herbert commented: “Soprano has proven she's a Group 1 filly and George was keen to come here. William [Buick] said she's too gassy and fresh, but she gave him a terrific feel.
“When he asked her to put the race to bed, despite running so free, she really kicked. I think that's what we want to take out of this. Royal Ascot is so important to all of us, so definitely that will be the plan and I think all races lead there.”
Multiple Group-placed as a juvenile, Soprano scored at Royal Ascot last season and went on to win a Group 3, before placing in both the Group 1 Matron Stakes and Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
Bred by Empire Bloodstock, she completed a double on the day for Starspangledbanner, with Pickershill (3f Starspangledbanner – Ponty Acclaim, by Acclamation) having earlier gotten off the mark at the Curragh.
Placed on her last two juvenile starts, the Sheila Lavery-trained filly was reunited with Robbie Colgan in the six-furlong maiden and made all of the running. She kept on well close home to win by three parts of a length.
The winning trainer said: “She's better than what she showed there as if there is something to bring her further into the race, it would suit her. She had them off the bridle quite early on. She's going the right way and is improving.”
The daughter of Starspangledbanner is owned by John Lavery and was bred by Rockhart Trading.