Carla’s Way (7-2) was described by connections as an ‘exciting prospect’ after setting up a potential trip to the Breeders’ Cup following her clear-cut success in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.        

The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained two-year-old moved a step closer to an outing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf at Santa Anita following her victory in the Group Two prize which doubled up as a ‘win and you’re in’ race for the Grade One contest on November 3rd. 

In a race where it paid to sit close to the pace Carla’s Way was bounced out in behind early leader Spiritual, who took the field along for much of the contest before being passed by the eventual winner as the field hit the two-furlong pole.

Once sent on by James Doyle the Starspangledbanner filly quickly went through the gears to put daylight between herself and the rest of the field on the final climb to the line.

Despite unbeaten favourite Shuwari staying on well from the back, along with eventual third Ylang Ylang, the damage had already been done as Carla’s Way continued galloping on resolutely all the way to the line before scoring by two and a quarter lengths.

Ed Crisford said: “She jumped out and got a lovely tow into the race. They were going pretty quick as they were going 11 second furlongs which were proper fractions up front. To quicken off that fast pace takes a good filly, and I think we have seen that today.  

“She travelled super into the race and came up the hill well and lengthened to the line really nicely. She is an exciting prospect. 

“There is a lot of New Approach in her and she is a big, tall, scopey filly and for sure next year she should train on. 

“In the early part of the race I was slightly worried how quick they were going but to quicken off a pace like that you have got to have a good engine underneath you. 

“She is in the Fillies Mile, but I think Santa Anita would suit this filly well and she likes quick ground, as we saw today so we have got to seriously think about that. 

“Until I speak to the owner (Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa), and we make a plan and a decision, I’m not sure what we do but I think she would suit Santa Anita for sure.”

While Carla’s Way is likely to be tested at the highest level this season connections admitted it was too early to be thinking of next year’s QIPCO 1000 Guineas which she was trimmed into 12-1 for by Paddy Power. 

Ed Crisford added: “Whether she will quite stay mile I’m not sure. We will get this year out of the way and then think about next year and see how she is training over the winter before thinking of the 1000 Guineas.”

A return to the Rowley Mile for the bet365 Fillies’ Mile on October 13th could be on the cards for runner-up Shuwari (13-8 Favourite) according to her trainer Ollie Sangster.  

He said: “I was very happy, and she ran great. I suppose the way the race panned out she had a lot to do but she stayed on well. 

“It was just the way the race panned out, but she came home very strongly. We will see how the next week goes but we could think about coming back for the Fillies’ Mile.    

“She had been off for 64 days and she will come on again so will definitely think about the Fillies’ Mile.”