Flanders proved the argument by maintaining her unbeaten record in the £120,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury on Saturday. The filly, who came to the race with three victories from three starts, cost 21,000 guineas - bordering on small change in the horseracing world - when coming under the hammer as a yearling at the Doncaster Sales.

But a string of noughts on a price tag guarantee nothing but expectation and Flanders justified her cramped odds of 6 to 5 in the five-furlong sprint for horses who cost 30,000 guineas or less as yearlings.

In front from the outset for Lindsay Charnock, she drew a length or so clear of her rivals passing the furlong marker, but began visibly to tire entering the final 100 yards.

Drifting away from the rail, she just had enough in hand to fend off 20 to 1 chance Open Secret by a neck, with a head to Monkston Point.