On a fantastic day for the Aga Khan his Shawanda lit up the Curragh with a performance befitting a Classic in the Darley Irish Oaks.
Travelling with ease throughout under Christophe Soumillon, the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained daughter of Sinndar assumed command 2f out and powered away for a 5L victory.
Soumillon, who only had to give minimal assistance, described his mount as a marvellous filly who was always on the bridle and he found it unbelievable to be able to win a Group 1 race as easy as this.
English raider Playful Act finished runner-up whilst Mona Lisa was best of the home defence in third with Right Key staying on to fill the fourth berth.
Bookmaker reaction was to cut Shawandas odds for the Prix de LArc De Triomphe with one firm now going 12/1 from a previous quote of 25s.
Caradak has shown his liking for quick underfoot conditions in the past and the 4yo emphasised that fact with an impressive 3 1/2L success in the Group 3 Minstrel Stakes.
Always prominent under Michael Kinane, the 9/4 second favourite (well-supported at 11/4 in the morning) took over two furlongs out, was ridden clear over a furlong out, going away to score easily.
Sure to step-up in class now, the Aga Khan described the John Oxx-trained colt as on the upgrade.
Aussie Rules missed the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes owing to a stone bruise and his defection saw Kieren Fallon switch to stable companion Amigoni.
This fellow was sent off the 7/4 favourite and he got the better of a duel with Black Charmer from the quarter mile pole to prevail by 1/2L.
Fallon said afterwards that the son of Danehill is improving all the time and we wont see the best of him until next year. Aidan OBrien meanwhile nominated Goodwood for his next assignment.
Half an hour later Ballydoyles newcomer Hitchcock was easy to back before finishing fourth in the maiden won by the Jim Bolger-trained Kevin Manning-ridden, Heliostatic.
Second to subsequent Group 3 victor, Horatio Nelson on his debut over 3 weeks ago, the Galileo colt went one better here by 1L. Manning described him as a nice type with plenty of improvement in him.
Adaala displayed plenty of determination to peg back Jazz Princess in the Listed Kilboy Estate Stakes. The Kevin Prendergast-trained Declan McDonogh-ridden 7/1 shot prevailed by 1/2L.
Katie Walsh continued her purple patch in the Ladies Derby, partnering her 15th winner on Michael Halfords Cloneden.
