Goddess fires warning to Guineas rivals with Leopardstown victory

Goddess, a daughter of Derby winner Camelot out of a half-sister to champion Galileo, bolted into contention for next year's Classics with a ten-length victory in a 7f maiden at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.

Beaten on her debut at the Curragh, that experience was clearly not lost on the Aidan O'Brien-trained juvenile, sent off the 1-2 favourite, and she never saw another rival under a suitably impressed Seamie Heffernan.

The Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes on September 16 could be one possible objective this year for Goddess, who was slashed to 14-1 favourite (from 33) with Sky Bet for next year’s Qipco 1,000 Guineas.

She is no bigger than a general 20-1 for the Newmarket Classic.

Result, replay and analysis

"She should have won at the Curragh," said Heffernan, considering her debut run when she finished ninth of 11.

He added: "It was a typical Irish race, they were all boxed in looking at each other. I just let her jump and stride along today. I don't know how good a race it was but she is way better than average."

Seamie Heffernan: 'I'd say she's better than September'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Put to him that the manner of victory was reminiscent of the way Group 1-placed September had won her maiden by five and a half lengths at the same course last year, Heffernan said: "I'd say she's better than September."

While the Guineas may be more than nine months away, O'Brien already dominates the market with stablemates Peach Tree and So Perfect also prominent in the betting.

Members can read the latest exclusive tipping content such as Pricewise and Paul Kealy from 8pm daily on racingpost.com