Godolphin

16 ran 1m14.65  
Owner: Night Shadow Syndicate

A pair with experience dominated the latter stages of what was probably just an average maiden for the track, though several of the newcomers, notably the third and sixth, are likely to come on quite a lot for their introductory run; the pace quickened over 2f out. SHIFTING STAR (IRE) looked to have come on since his debut and won readily, though without probably having to show marked improvement in what was an ordinary maiden for the track, quickening to lead in the final 1f and winning going away; he'll stay 7f and is likely to improve again. FORTUITY (IRE), back on turf and returned to 6f, showed further improvement and, even though he dictated, it's best to give him credit for his effort for the time being; he couldn't match the pace of the winner in the final 1f but was still clear of the remainder and may progress still further at 7f. RIO DE LA PLATA (USA) ($65,000F, $75,000Y, 170,000 2-y-o: by Rahy, closely related to Argentinian Grade 1 7f winner El Expresivo: dam unraced from good Argentinian family), quite an expensive purchase at the breeze-ups, was a strong favourite but needed the experience on his debut; that said, he was clearly getting the hang of things under sympathetic handling in the closing stages and is sure to do better. INCOMPARABLE (20,000Y: by Compton Place, dam 7f winner) looked as if the race would do him good and shaped quite well, taking a good hold yet seeing things out well, and he's likely to improve. ASTANIA (Shahrastani half-sister to fairly useful 7f winner High Ambition: dam unraced) was at long odds for her debut but shaped quite well and is likely to improve, particularly at 7f; she took a good hold in touch but couldn't quicken when the pace did. FLAWED GENIUS (Fasliyev half-brother to 3 winners, including fairly useful 2001 2-y-o 7f winner Zaeema and useful French 1m (at 2 yrs) and 1½m winner Friston Forest: dam 1¼m (including Sun Chariot Stakes) winner who stayed 1½m), coltish beforehand, is sure to derive plenty of benefit from his debut, doing his best work late on having been held up towards the rear and run green when shaken up initially; he has a mixed pedigree but can be expected to stay 7f at least. BETTYS TOUCH, claimed from Charlie McBride last time, appeared to run well in this better grade but, having raced prominently in a steadily-run affair, was possibly flattered to a degree; she's likely to stay 7f. REDESDALE (Pursuit of Love half-brother to fairly useful 2003 2-y-o 7f winner First Candlelight and 1¼m winner Dark Society: dam, 1¼m/11f winner, half-sister to smart 1m/1¼m winner Starstreak), already gelded, didn't get the best chance to show what he could do on his debut, starting slowly and having no run as he made his effort 2f out. CLOSE TO PARADISE (IRE) (€15,00Y, 90,000 2-y-o: Clodovil half-sister to 2 winners, including US 6f winner Come For The Gold: dam unraced half-sister to US Grade 1 8.5f winner Antiqua out of high-class French/US performer up to 1¼m Paradise) needed the experience on her debut and was sympathetically handled as she tried to make ground up the rail having worked across from her high draw; she'll improve for the experience. MR FANTOZZI (IRE) failed to improve on his debut effort, again weakening over 1f out. ASIAN POWER (IRE) still looked inexperienced and didn't show a lot again, not getting a clear run when trying to improve 2f out. MISTER BEANO (IRE), withdrawn due to unsuitable ground more than once since his debut, pulled hard early and lost his place when the pace quickened, not given a hard time; he may yet do better. TOBOGGANIST (26,000F, 40,000Y: Tobougg half-brother to fairly useful 7f winner Master Pegasus: dam, 2-y-o 7f winner, out of half-sister to dam of Rock of Gibraltar) looked as if he could be made fitter and, having started slowly, looked inexperienced in rear. BURY TREASURE (IRE) (16,000Y: Choisir half-brother to 2 winners in Italy, including dam of useful sprinter Nights Cross: dam 7f winner on only start) looks a sprinter but didn't show much on his debut, racing freely and beaten soon after halfway. PISCEAN (USA) ($75,000F, £40,000 2-y-o: Stravinsky half-brother to US 1m winner Silver Navasha: dam unraced from family of Cape Cross) was coltish beforehand and failed to settle from his wide draw on his debut. WEIGHT IN GOLD (3,000Y: Mujahid half-sister to 3 winners, including 1m (at 2 yrs) and 1½m winner Bold Blade: dam 2-y-o 7f winner in Italy) was slowly away and always behind on her debut.