Sir Michael Stoute wasn't letting on and bookmakers' opinions were divided over the trainer's best Classic hope after Regal Rose triumphed in the Shadwell Stud Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket yesterday.
She strengthened her claims for the Newmarket 1,000 Guineas while those of her stablemate Enthused, the 11 to 8 favourite, appeared to be diminished when she trailed in only sixth. But there is a further complication as Stoute also has the unbeaten Karasta, a winner of the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster on her last outing.
The bookmakers are certainly confused over the first fillies' Classic of next year - Ladbrokes make Karasta the 6 to 1 favourite. William Hill and Victor Chandler hedge their bets, the pair having Karasta and Regal Rose sharing favouritism at respectively 6 to 1 and 8s.
Any enlightment from Stoute was not forthcoming with the trainer saying: "I might be able to tell you a bit more after the early trials next spring. Training in Newmarket you can't work three horses like this together."
Enthused was sent off the 11 to 8 favourite to follow up her highly-impressive victory in the Lowther Stakes. But she failed to pick up at all in the final stages as Regal Rose, carrying the colours of the Cheveley Park Stud, stamped her authority in the final furlong of the £130,000 contest.
Pushed out to the line by Frankie Dettori, Regal Rose was one length to the good over 66 to 1 chance Toroca with the Tommy Stack's Mala Mala a neck away. Dettori was impressed and said: "You have to make Regal Rose one of the favourites for the Guineas now. She has a good cruising speed and an excellent turn of foot. With a faster pace she would have been more impressive."
Stoute said: "Regal Rose was taking a big step up in class but she's handled it well. She's always had a lot of natural ability."
Asked which of his two runners he had favoured before the race, the trainer said: "Regal Rose and Enthused worked on Wednesday but they were three lengths apart and no serious questions were asked.
"Enthused handled a bit of cut in the ground in the Cherry Hinton but ideally she likes to bounce off it. The race wasn't run to suit her and she might have just lost her edge as she's been on the go for some time."
Tommy Stack is hoping Mala Mala will also develop into a 1000 Guineas contender.
Aidan O'Brien was pleased with the performances of Toroca and Sequoyah (fifth). The trainer is convinced that Sequoyah will show her true colours when tackling one mile.
O'Brien's Mozart is best-priced at 20 to 1 for next year's 2,000 Guineas following his success in a dramatic £400,000 Tattersalls Houghton Stakes, the richest juvenile race staged in Europe.
Mozart was 5 to 4 favourite and his hopes were given a big boost when Eminence, second best in the betting, walked out of the stalls and refused to race.
It looked as if another shock was in store when the Norwegian-trained filly Pretty Girl (25-1) took up the running a furlong and a half out on the far side.
But Michael Kinane brought Mozart with strong run up the centre of the course to lead inside the last 150 yards and stay on to beat Pretty Girl by a length with Count Dubois a head away in third.
Mozart may well return to Newmarket next month as O'Brien, who trains the son of Danehill for Michael Tabor and Mrs John Magnier, explained: "He had a very bad draw and it was a long time since he had run, but Michael was lovely and kind on him you know - he is a very smart horse.
"The plan was to give him a run before the Dewhurst for which he is a possible, but Hemingway is a possible too."
