Just The Judge pictured on her way to victory in the 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh last year© Photo Healy Racing
Jamie Spencer was pleased to see Just The Judge triumph in the EP Taylor Stakes at Woodbine with a Breeders' Cup bid now a likely target.
Winner of the Irish 1,000 Guineas last year, the Charlie Hills-trained filly had not tasted success since that Classic victory, although she had run some fine races in defeat at the highest level.
She bounced back to winning form in fine style though, holding off fellow British raider Odeliz by half a length, although Spencer had briefly looked tight for room in the straight and had to endure a stewards' inquiry before the filly was confirmed the winner.
He told www.woodbineentertainment.com: "Obviously the race was very unsatisfactory because I had to go to 'Plan B' from the start because she kind of jumped awkwardly from the gate.
"You can't panic then, you have to take a different route. (I) was in amongst horses from probably five (furlongs) out to about the three-(eighths) pole and it was very, very tight where I was. Then she had to make a little bit of room for herself early in the stretch.
"I was trying to not give her too hard of a race because obviously this is basically a stepping stone to the Breeders' Cup. So the plan was just to win here and ship on down. She's won but I'd prefer if it had gone a little bit smoother."
Owner Charles Wentworth saw his faith repaid as Caspar Netscher scored his first win in over two years in the Grade Two Neartic Stakes.
The five-year-old won a handful of Group races in his juvenile and three-year-old days and was retired to stud at the end of the 2012 campaign, only to prove infertile.
Wentworth subsequently bought back the son of Dutch Art and sent him to David Simcock, who prepared him for his three-quarters of a length victory over Black Hornet in the hands of Andrew Mullen.
Wentworth said: "My hands were absolutely dripping sweat and I actually felt physically sick before the race I was so nervous. It was a long way to come and it's a relief to have him back.
"I sold him to stud at the end of his three-year-old season (2012) and he covered 54 mares and only got three in foal. So the insurers paid out the infertility insurance and I bought him back in a sale bid, which was a gamble but it's paid off.
"That (the race) was [amazing]. That was reminiscent of how he was at his best as a two-year-old. It's great to have him back. It really is."
Ryan Moore had earlier steered Hillstar to victory in the Canadian International, with fellow British raider Brown Panther withdrawn after he unshipped his rider Richard Kingscote on the way to the start.
Moore said of the Sir Michael Stoute-trained winner: "I was out a little bit too early but he was fine and plenty and it was going to take a good horse to get by him.
"Like Brown Panther, he (Hillstar) was the best horse in the race and just felt we would keep it as simple as we could.
"I am sure the boss (Stoute) had this race as a target from a long way out and it was always something we had in the backs of our minds if things were going well. I moved a bit too early today but he was the best horse and we kept it straightforward again."
Kingscote said: "Just before the break, the horse got wound up and unfortunately he got me off. When I got back on, I tried to keep him relaxed and as soon as I let go he bolted. There wasn't much I could do after that.
"He's never done that before. He sometimes dances about and gets on his toes, but he's never been that extreme."
Dascombe added: "It's very disappointing. Well done to the winner (Hillstar) and the connections of Caspar Netscher (Nearctic Stakes winner). It wasn't our day today."
