Mark Johnston got off the mark for this year's Glorious Goodwood meeting when Eastern Aria ran out a comfortable winner of the Group Three Moet Hennessy Fillies' Stakes (2800m) on Thursday.
Richard Hills took up the running early in the straight on the 16-1 shot, who won a handicap at the meeting last season off a mark of 88, and the result never looked in doubt.
Polly's Mark gave chase, but the winning distance was two and three-quarter lengths, with a further two and a half lengths back to Motrice in third. Eastern Aria also broke the course record over a mile and six furlongs.
Hills said: "They went fast and I just slotted in where she was happy. When I picked her up at the top of the hill we weren't sure she'd stay but I rode her like she did stay and I was really pleased with the way she picked up. She's got a great attitude and has obviously just come right."
Johnston added: "I've run a lot of my big guns in the handicaps and it's a nice surprise to get my first winner in a Group race instead. She was the most improved horse in my yard last season and I gave her a lot of big entries, but we ended up having to scrap them. Richard rides her very well because she can be difficult.
"It looks like I'll have to get the programme book out again now. Long term, the Canadian International may be the plan."
George Baker and Citrus Star (8-1) wriggled through the gaps to take the Vintage At Goodwood Handicap.
"George is brillant at that," said trainer Chris Wall.
"The horse has been difficult in the stalls but he didn't put a foot wrong on the track. We'll have to see whether the handicapper gives us a chance, or whether we'll have to step up to Listed class."
There was a typically head-bobbing finish to the five-furlong RUK Leading Jockey Award Handicap and it was the Dandy Nicholls-trained Hamoody (14-1) who got up. He is entered again on Friday and Nicholls said: "He'll run if he has eaten up. He'd lost his way a bit but has a great rapport with this place."
£70,000, Group Three, Moet Hennessy Fillies' Stakes (2800m) For 3yo+ fillies & mares: 1st: £39,739; 2nd: £15,064; 3rd: £7,539; 4th: £3,759; 5th: £1,833; 6th: £945
1) EASTERN ARIA (UAE) (Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum) Mark Johnston 4-9-06 Richard Hills [2] 16/1
2) POLLY'S MARK (IRE) (Wickham Stud) Clive Cox 4-9-06 Richard Hughes [7] 7/2
3) MOTRICE (Kirsten Rausing) Sir Mark Prescott 3-8-07 (1lb ow) Seb Sanders [5] 10/1
4) ROSIKA (Sir Evelyn de Rothschild) Sir Michael Stoute 4-9-06 Johnny Murtagh [6]
5) FLYING CLOUD (IRE) (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor t4-9-06 Frankie Dettori [12] 6/4 Fav
6) SHIP'S BISCUIT (Philip Newton) Sir Michael Stoute 3-8-07 (1lb ow) Ryan Moore [4]
7) STARFALA (Ben & Sir Martyn Arbib) Paul Cole 5-9-06 Eddie Ahern [8]
8) JUST LILLE (IRE) (Helen Wynne) Ann Duffield v7-9-06 Barry McHugh [3]
9) TINAAR (USA) (Fawzi Abdulla Nass) Gerard Butler p4-9-6 Paul Hanagan [9]
10) UVINZA (Alison Ruggles) William Knight 4-9-06 Jim Crowley [11]
11) FLAME OF GIBRALTAR (IRE) (Rose McKeon, Marie Harris & Tom Gallagher) Henry Cecil 4-9-06 Tom Queally [13]
12) MYPLACELATER (Tony Thompson) David Elsworth 3-8-07 (1lb ow) Kieren Fallon [10]
13) CASSIQUE LADY (IRE) (Anthony & Victoria Pakenham) Lucy Wadham 5-9-06 William Buick [1]
13 ran
Time: 2m 58.05s - previous record 2m 58.57s Distances: 2¾, 2½, 1¼, 2, ¾, 4½, 4, ¾, 2, 4½, 8, 23
Breeder: Darley Breeding: br f Halling (USA) - Badraan (USA) (Danzig (USA))
