Carla Bianca wins Dance Design Stakes

Carla Bianca continued her upward curve by completing a four-timer with victory in the Group 3 Dance Design Fillies’ Stakes over a mile and one at the Curragh.

This was her first success at Group 3 level having won her maiden and two Listed races. Alive Alive Oh came into the lead full of running at the two pole, but Carla Bianca set off in determined pursuit. Pat Smullen was in a full drive and the three-year-old filly responded and got her head in front with 50 yards to go. The 5/4 favourite was a length up at the line. Pearl Of Africa (9/2) looked a significant threat as she stayed on stoutly down the outside, but second was as close as she got. Alive Alive Oh (7/1) dropped to third, beaten a length and a half by the winner.

Trainer Dermot Weld said: “It was nice to win the Dance Design Stakes. Obviously Moyglare owned and bred her and she was a classic winner for me when taking the Oaks.

“That's four now back-to-back for this filly. She was slow in the spring to get going, but has progressed with every run and it was a nice performance today. Obviously the Blandford is a possibility for her and the faster the ground the better for her.

“I thought nine was her correct trip, but the way she came home today pleased me most of all because she has a lot of pace. I liked the way she came home in the last half furlong.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson