Goldikova proves her class in Falmouth Stakes

Report: Newmarket, Wednesday

Etihad Airways FalmouthStakes (Group 1) 1m, 3yo+, fillies and mares

AFTER a disappointing start to the season, trainer Freddie Head returned to the Group 1 stage in impressive style with Goldikova turning over a quality field in the Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes.

Despite disappointing on her seasonal reappearance in the Prix d'Ispahan, Goldikova was sent off the 7-4 favourite to score a fourth Group 1 victory.

Olivier Peslier settled last year's Breeders' Cup Mile winner on the shoulders of 11-2 chance Spacious, who was allowed to dominate in front under Johnny Murtagh, before cruising clear in the final furlong.

Heaven Sent, second to Spacious at Royal Ascot last month, finished strongly to finish half a length adrift in second, with Spacious holding off 9-4 second choice Rainbow View for third.

Providing Head with his second Group 1 win at the July festival, Goldikova will again be aimed at a return to the US later in the year.

He said: "The ground at Longchamp was so bad and the filly could not get out of it. She has been working well coming here and I was very happy with her prep gallops so I was very confident.

"I also had a virus in my yard earlier in the season, but hopefully that is over now and the horses are all coming on.

"She has a couple of options at Deauville during the summer and of course to go back to California and win the Breeders' Cup Mile again is the ultimate aim."

Peslier added: "The question was how was she after the last time she ran. She's been working well and that was impressive."

Chris Richardson, racing manager for owners Cheveley Park Stud, was far from disappointed to claim second and third with Heaven Sent and Spacious.

He said: "You can't split them once again. They have both run extremely well and it's no disgrace to have been beaten by Goldikova.

"Spacious could go for the Nassau Stakes and it could be the same for Heaven Sent, although we might look at the Matron Stakes as well."

John Gosden was satisfied with Rainbow View's performance but feels she may need a longer trip on good ground.

He added: "She's run great and it was only the older fillies who were in front.

"I think she wants a mile on soft or a mile and a quarter otherwise and we will look at the Nassau and the Prix Rothschild."