Dougie Costello claimed his first significant success since making the switch to the Flat when steering Quiet Reflection to a narrow victory on her return to action in the Prix Sigy at Chantilly.
After winning the Cornwallis Stakes on her final start last year, the Karl Burke-trained three-year-old started the new season as she ended the previous one with a second success at Group Three level.
Ridden just off the pace by former jumps ace Costello, who is stable jockey to the Leyburn handler, the daughter of Showcasing burst through late on in the six-furlong event before holding off the fast-finishing Jimmy Two Times by a head to make it four wins from five starts.
Burke said: "We are very pleased with that and it is a great way to start the season. It was Dougie's first time on her and although I thought she would stay six furlongs she still had to prove it. Last year she had a lot of speed, but she was very professional with it.
"With 100 yards to go it was a bit heart in mouth, but Dougie gave her a good strong ride without being too hard on her. She has beaten Group Three winners and I don't know how strong the form will be, but she has done it well.
"If we had ridden the race again given the turn of foot she has got we would have probably waited longer and I think she would have won by a length.
"She came out here having done plenty of work and she will improve for it. We will now look at the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock next month and that is likely to be the next target."
RaceBets gave Burke's charge a 14-1 from 16-1 quote for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
Burke is to give Katie's Diamond a prep run in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes on Saturday ahead of a potential outing in the French 1000 Guineas.
After being taken out of her intended reappearance in the Prix Imprudence at Maisons Laffitte on Thursday on account of the soft ground, the three-year-old will now head to Newbury for the Group Three prize, better known as the Fred Darling.
Burke said: "Sheikh Fahad and David Redvers were keen to run Fourth Way in the Nell Gwyn and to be honest if we are keen on going to France, running her at Newbury on a more level track would be a better prep run for Deauville."
The Layburn handler also stated that jockey Joey Haynes was back riding work for him on Friday, just two days after suffering a fall aboard racecourse debutant Baie D'Amour at Chantilly.
He said: "He came in on Friday and rode a couple of lots, which surprised me. It is all credit to him, as I didn't expect him to be back that quick as it was a nasty bang to the head he suffered. He was a lucky boy. He is banned for a couple of days, but he should have a few rides towards the end of the week."
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