While the highly-touted, $1,600,000 Frankel colt Merovee will surely be improved from his debut sixth at Newcastle on Wednesday, the winner of the race Sanctioned looks to have a bright future.
The John O'Shea-trained colt was caught three and four wide early from an outside barrier as James Doyle elected to push on to the lead.
After doing a deal of work in the early stages, the son of Teofilo (IRE) kept up a relentless gallop down the straight to win by a length and half from Our Mantra (Sebring) with Reflectivity (All Too Hard) three-quarter of a length back in third.
It was the second start for Sanctioned who made his career debut on a heavy track at Warwick Farm on March 8 when third to his Godolphin stablemate Almanzora (Lonhro).
"We think he was beaten by a pretty fair horse that day too so I wouldn't be too hard on him," O'Shea told Sky Racing.
"The progeny of Teofilo are generally better on top of the ground and he really appreciated it today.
"You always have to be fearful of one that Chris (Waller) brings to the races in good order but James (Doyle) gave our horse a lovely ride and was able to get the job done."
A brother to dual Listed ATC Cup winner Malice, Sanctioned is the fourth foal of the Encosta de Lago mare Afterthought who was purchased as a yearling by Woodlands Stud for $600,000.
She is a half-sister to Listed ATC Dulcify Quality winner Moqueen (Uncle Mo) and the stakes-placed Money Rocks (Fastnet Rock) and Beauty Express (Danehill Dancer).
Afterthought is a daughter of the stakes-placed Money Begets Money (Bite The Bullet) whose stakes-winning sister Mica's Pride is the dam of Criterion (Sebring) and Varenna Miss (Redoute's Choice), while two other sisters Rose Of Cimmaron (the dam of Bull Point) and Joleur (the dam of Upon This Rock) have produced stakes winners.
Afterthought has a yearling filly by Helmet and a filly foal by Dawn Approach (IRE). She was bred back to Teofilo (IRE) last spring.
