Karasta reaffirmed her Classic potential with a ready dismissal of 11 rivals in the Rothmans Royals May Hill Stakes at Doncaster today.
The 5-4 favourite, ridden by Johnny Murtagh, charged to the front in the home straight and went on to defeat Ameerat by one length in the Group Three contest.
There was a slight scare for her supporters when Sir Michael Stoute`s charge jinked right close to the line, appearing to slightly inconvenience the runner-up.
But the stewards quickly announced that any interference was accidental and had not affected the result.
Karasta is now 8-1 (William Hill, Ladbrokes and Tote) for the Sagitta 1000 Guineas. Stoute is also responsible for the favourite Enthused and another leading fancy in Regal Rose.
Karasta, quoted at 10-1 for the Vodafone Oaks by the Tote, may next tackle the Meon Valley Stud Fillies` Mile at Ascot.
Stoute`s assistant Coral Pritchard-Gordon said: 'She`s learning with every race and did it effortlessly today.
'Johnny said she was still green and just spooked at the advertising hoardings near the finish.'
Ameerat has also entered serious reckoning for the 1000 Guineas with William Hill quoting her at 14-1.
Her trainer Michael Jarvis said: 'The breaks didn`t come for her. She was knocked back at a crucial time.'
Jarvis believes the Ascot race might come too soon for Ameerat and will instead consider the Rockfel Stakes and Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket.
Murtagh was back in the winner`s circle in the Aga Khan`s colours 35 minutes later after conjuring a last-furlong rally from Enzeli in the Great North Eastern Railway Doncaster Cup.
Last year`s Gold Cup winner was sporting blinkers for the first time and raced keenly in touch with the leaders as Spirit Of Love and Persian Punch cut out the running at a good pace.
Once in line for home Persian Punch was kicked into a clear lead but Murtagh followed him through and hit the front on the John Oxx-trained 15-2 chance with two of the 18 furlongs left to travel.
He was immediately challenged and overtaken by Churlish Charm but Enzeli would not be denied and battled back to regain the lead close home to land the #24,000 first prize by a neck.
Persian Punch kept on to keep third three lengths away.
A delighted Murtagh said: 'He`s a tough horse and stays well. I gave him a few smacks and he rallied well.'
Explaining the decision to put the headgear on Enzeli Murtagh added: 'He`s a five-year-old now and he`s getting a bit lazy - the blinkers helped.'
Rainbow High, the runner-up 12 months ago and sent off the 3-1 favourite today, flattered briefly before fading to finish fourth.
Distant Music returned to action after a long break to secure victory in the GNER White Rose Park Stakes.
He rallied in the final furlong of the Group Three event to foil Valentino by a neck.
Distant Music, a winner of the Champagne Stakes at this meeting 12 months ago, had been off the course since finishing down the field in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas.
Trainer Barry Hills has been enduring a torrid time this season but insisted he had never lost faith in the colt who was rated the champion British two-year-old at theend of last year.
'He`s never really had a problem apart from bad feet but the Prince said if I wasn`t happy I didn`t have to run him,' he said.
'But this has certainly been a character-building year for me. I can only think of three of my horses that have gone up in the handicap.'
Distant Music is a possible for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot later in the month and may stay in training next season.
Valentino had looked certain to win the race when striking the front inside the final furlong only to be run out of it close home. Trainer John Gosden admitted his colt might have hit the front too soon.
Cullompton trainer Rod Millman is celebrating his best Flat season and Lord Kintyre provided him with his 25th victory of the campaign by landing the opening Kyoto Scarbrough Stakes.
The odds-on favourite Astonished (5-6) made a tardy start and always looked to be struggling on the stands` side as the early pace was cut out down the centre of the track by SeeYou Later and Dancing Maestro.
As See You Later saw off that challenge Michael Roberts came with a well-timed run to take matters up on the 4-1 winner inside the final furlong.
The victory margin was one length with the fast-finishing Rambling Bear grabbing third place a neck behind.
'That`s fantastic,' commented Millman on greeting his winner.
'It`s good to get him back to his best. He`s had an allergy in his lungs which caused them not to work properly and caused him to bleed under pressure.'
Millman who hopes to run his charge in the Dubai Airport World Trophy at Newbury next week praised Roberts for staying in the centre of the track.
'Michael rode the perfect tactical race because had he come down the stands` side we wouldn`t have won,' the trainer added.
David Brotherton owner of Astonished plans an attack on Newmarket`s Rous Stakes for his gelding`s next target.
He said: 'There was more pace in the centre and it probably did not help him having to race down the stand rail.'
