The sky is the limit for Henry Cecil's Shiva, who demolished a high-class field in the Group Three Credit Suisse First Boston Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown Park tonight.
The Newmarket trainer has big plans for the mare, who could have won by far more than the length and three quarters she had in hand from Border Arrow at the line with Sossus Vlei five lengths further back in third.
Winning jockey Richard Quinn eased Shiva right up close home after she had been eight lengths clear at the furlong marker,
Lady in Waiting set a strong pace considering the soft ground but was soon passed by the winner at the entrance to the straight. Beat All was fourth a further length and a half after the first three.
Cecil sporting cuts and bruises to his face where a filly had kicked him at evening stables, enthused:' She is a cracking mare, and if the ground is soft she will go to Royal Ascot for either the Prince of Wales or Hardwicke, then the Eclipse followed by the King George. She must have easy going though.
'Last year she jarred herself up at Royal Ascot and was subsequently four gallops short before she ran in the Champion Stakes where she still managed to finish second. On this showing we now know how to ride her - dominate!'
The trainer also explained why his Bien Entendu would not be running in the Derby. The colt has been reported to have suffered from a mucus problem and Cecil added:' He recently flattened a bit in his work and so he does not go. My other Derby horses, Beat Hollow and Wellbeing go to Yarmouth tomorrow for a spin.'
Beat All ran a flat sort of race in fourth and his trainer Michael Stoute, was not present to reveal whether his charge would still be targeted at the Vodafone Coronation Cup at Epsom on Friday week.
The main supporting event, the Credit Suisse First Boston and National Stakes, went to Taras Emperor.
John Quinn, who had won with Smart Predator at Redcar earlier in the day, made the long trip from Malton pay off in the five furlong event and wrapped up a double for winning jockey Jimmy Fortune, who had earlier won at the Esher track on Hymn.
Elsie Plunkett, chasing a four-timer, led until over a furlong out where she was swallowed up by Taras Emperor, who went on to beat Stregone by three and a half lengths. Elsie Plunkett had to settle for third half a length farther away.
Quinn was not present, but his travelling head lad Graham Gray said: 'Our gelding loves the soft ground and is a tough sort.
'The governor will be well pleased as that was the stable's first Listed race winner.'
The Gerard Butler bandwagon continued to roll when Fanfare came from near last to first under Frankie Dettori in the Winterthur Life & Pensions Handicap, to score by a length and a quarter from Storm Wizard.
Butler and Dettori won the race last year with Compton Amica and Fanfare had earlier won the Windsor race that Compton Amica had taken last year.
Butler said: 'The role continues and it is all due to my staff, my owners and luck. Frankie rode her brilliantly, he knew she stays and produced her just right. She may have a rest now.'
The fifth race - the 8.15 Credit Suisse Private Banking Handicap over a mile and three-quarters - was abandoned due to the unsafe nature of the ground on the bend into the back straight after an inspection by the stewards.
