THE first classic of the season for the fillies delivered on all fronts, with the clock confirming the fantastic finish was about speed and stamina in union which contributed to an outstanding time figure.

However, the classic generation were upstaged on the clock, on the day, by Via Sistina who posted the best time on the card without coming off the bridle in the hands of Jamie Spencer.

Mawj (114) enjoyed a successful winter at Meydan, which can only be seen as an advantage as she edged a tight finish with the less experienced Tahiyra (114+), who lost little in defeat despite forsaking her unbeaten record.

The first experience of a battle will not be lost on Dermot Weld’s filly, and it would be a surprise if she were not able to exact her revenge later in the season.

The main protagonists looked to have the race between them long before they locked horns throughout the final two furlongs as both travelled with ease as the rest of their rivals came under pressure to some degree passing the three-furlong marker.

Tahiyra was slightly quicker through the closing stages and looked to have drawn level with the winner heading to the final furlong as she finished off her race in 37.34secs. However, the race fitness of Godolphin’s winner proved decisive as the gap between the pair drew out to half a length in the shadows of the post with the daughter of Exceed And Excel stopping the clock at 37.53secs for her closing sectional.

Superiority

The superiority over their field, highlighted by the distance back to third placed Matilda Picotte (105), is confirmed by the next best closing sectional posted by fifth placed Dance In The Grass (101) who finished off in 38.73secs.

Jamie Spencer was motionless in delivering Via Sistina (117+) to land the Dahlia Stakes, with his filly clocking a stunning 36.76secs for her closing sectional despite not being extended. The superlatives continue when viewing the final furlong in isolation as George Boughey’s mare covered the ground in 12.88secs; in comparison Mawj clocked 13.30secs.

The veteran jockey confirmed post-race that his filly thrives with give underfoot, although it is also notable the daughter of Fastnet Rock has only suffered defeat on a single occasion at Newmarket from three visits.

To complete the set for the fillies, Running Lion (111+) stated her classic case with an impressive victory in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes. Jockey Oisin Murphy eased the daughter of Roaring Lion into contention approaching the two-furlong pole, posting a closing sectional of 37.74secs in securing victory.

Speaking after the race, the winning jockey expressed a concern over the extra two furlongs of the Oaks at Epsom so the French equivalent may come more into focus for team Gosden who won the same race last season with Nashwa and have a rich pedigree with the listed contest in recent decades.

The bonus race on the card came in the shape of the transferred Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes.

Adayar (114) was a facile winner in a good time, looking back to his best in the process.

William Buick, who rides the Rowley Mile brilliantly and endorsed that view with a treble on the day, was quick to praise the efforts of the team at home, whose efforts have ensured the Derby winner is again settling in his races.

When asked for his effort the five-year-old effortlessly delivered a closing sectional of 37.80secs.

MUTASAABEQ (119+) maintained his impressive record at Newmarket on Friday as he ran out a very convincing winner of the rescheduled bet365 Mile.

The question is, has trainer Charlie Hills found the key to unlocking his potential with the application of blinkers?

The application of the headgear has now yielded two wins from as many starts.

This theory will be tested at Newbury in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes when he will face his two conquerors prior to the application of the headgear; Jadoomi and Chindit.

At first glance, the time of the Group 2 contest looks slower than the concluding race over the same distance.

However, when considering the handicap was subject to a flag start, this undoubtedly influenced the opening furlong difference of 1.54secs in favour of Outbreak.

The remaining evidence points to the Shadwell Estate-owned five-year-old as the performer of the day on the clock.

The closing three-furlong sectionals add weight to this theory as the son of Invincible Spirit was also much quicker, stopping the clock at 34.35secs, compared to the 37.10secs taken by Charlie Johnston’s gelding.

In fact, the only winner on the card to surpass Mutasaabeq was debutant two-year-old Soprano (104), who covered the same ground in 34.26secs.

The other shared achievement on the day was a single furlong of 10.96secs in their penultimate furlong.

Talented

George Boughey’s juvenile is no doubt very talented, and the trainer reported the Albany Stakes over a furlong further to be the target at Royal Ascot next month.

Midnight Affair (100) could renew rivalry in the Group 3 contest for fillies and there are grounds to believe she will narrow the gap with a smoother passage.

The Clipper Logistics-owned filly clocked 34.30secs for her closing sectional, inclusive of a final furlong of 11.83secs; the winner covered the same ground in 11.99secs.

Following an abject Newbury comeback, Hurricane Lane (111) returned to winning ways in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes, although he will need to run quicker to be competitive in the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot, which is reported to be his next target. The former St. Leger winner was the slowest of the middle-distance winners through the closing stages despite impressing visually.

CAROLINE Street (104) made a winning comeback in the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes at Naas last Saturday, narrowly defeating her better fancied stablemate Lumiere Rock (103).

The time figure for the race was short of expectation for the grade, which is supported by the race time being only marginally quicker than achieved by the eased down New Variant (102), winner of the rated race which followed the feature contest.

The closing sectionals point to the fillies’ contest being the quicker as Caroline Street covered the ground from the home turn in 36.20secs, in comparison New Variant and subsequently Mashia stopped the clock at 38.57secs and 37.28secs respectively.

The action on the straight track was more compelling with Lord Massusus (101) proving to be the star turn and now reportedly heads to Royal Ascot for the Jersey Stakes, according to trainer Joseph Murphy.

The overall time was slower than Dandyville (101), although the three-year-old turned the tables on his elder through the closing stages and once in the clear.

The son of Markaz ran home from the two-furlong pole in 24.95secs, in comparison Natalia Lupini’s handicapper stopped the clock at 25.57secs.

Of interest in the short-term, Cash Or Crypto (99) is worthy of a tracker entry. After missing the break slightly, David Marnane’s colt was forced to circle the field to challenge - to his credit he still finished off his race quicker than the winner as he rattled home in 24.84secs.

There was little to separate the two-year-old races when adjusted for distance, although Devious (92+) was the quicker through the closing stages as he delivered a closing sectional of 23.35secs, in comparison Johannes Brahms (91+) stopped the clock at 24.44secs.

Donnacha O’Brien described Devious as a big strong colt who has shown plenty at home and the son of Starspangledbanner looks Royal Ascot bound.

Leopardstown

Zarinsk (110) reverted to front running to win the Group 3 for fillies on Sunday’s Derby Trial card at Leopardstown, posting the best time figure of the day in the process.

However, Ger Lyons’ daughter of Kodiac was slowing at the finish judged on her closing sectional of 41.02secs and may be seen to better effect at seven furlongs as the season progresses.

Sprewell (105+) promoted his Epsom Derby chances with a good performance in the feature contest, with his closing sectionals in particular very impressive as he easily accounted for Ballysax runner-up Up And Under (102) by three lengths with nice gaps back to the remainder of the field.

Jessica Harrington’s colt covered the final three furlongs in 38.37secs, which was only bettered on the day by Power Under Me (94+), who clocked 37.74secs to win the Amethyst Stakes off a very slow early pace.

The son of Churchill will have to run much quicker overall to be competitive in the Derby, if connections choose to take their chance.