The Fugue was catapulted to the head of the betting for the Investec Oaks with an imperious display in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York.
John Gosden's filly was having just her third start having run a respectable fourth in the 1000 Guineas 10 days earlier.
She was struck into on that occasion but thankfully the damage was only superficial, allowing her wound to heal in time for her to gain valuable experience in the recognised Oaks trial.
However, all the pre-race talk was about Aidan O'Brien's Twirl, one of a strong contingent of Classic fillies from Ballydoyle this season.
Twirl ended up being sent off the 5-6 favourite allowing The Fugue to start at odds of 15-8 but William Buick was sitting pretty at the two-furlong marker while Joseph O'Brien was already asking his mount to quicken.
When Buick pressed the button, The Fugue stretched four and a half lengths clear and is now a best-price 9-2 for the Classic.
"The better ground has made a big difference to her," said Gosden.
"She's a lovely filly and she was unlucky in the Guineas when she was struck into.
"All being well she'll run at Epsom now, but she wouldn't want it soft. In case it is, we'll also leave her in the French Oaks.
"William was a bit cocky between the one and the two but he felt he had Joseph's measure.
"I didn't like bringing her here just 10 days after the Guineas, but I felt we had to find out if she was good enough for Epsom.
"I always felt she would stay 10 furlongs but wasn't so sure about the rest but William says it won't be a problem (another two furlongs).
"She's got little ballerina feet that sunk at Newmarket so we just hope it's not soft at Epsom.
"If Aidan's horse hadn't run you could have questioned the form, but they really like her and she was heavily backed."
Buick added: "She felt very good. She was a little bit keen early on and she's still inexperienced, so when horses come around her, she's a very reactive filly.
"I just tried to get her to settle and she picked up really well - she's class.
"The Guineas wasn't a very nice experience for her. She wasn't unlucky but she came out worst in a barging match and I'm just glad to have her back.
"At Epsom you need tactical speed and she certainly has that."
Kevin Ryan was over the moon after saddling Tiddliwinks to a 25-1 surprise success in the Duke of York totepool Stakes.
The winner races in Yorkshireman Guy Reed's famous pink, yellow and black silks and he was only beaten a length into third 12 months ago.
His stablemate Bogart, only a three-year-old, made a bold bid from the front and ended up fourth while The Cheka and Society Rock made late ground, but Jamie Spencer stole the race a furlong out.
"Unfortunately Mr Reed can't be here today. We really did fancy him. I knew Bogart would run well but he's going to improve an awful lot for the outing," said Ryan.
"I thought he'd got there too soon, but when Jamie gave him a squeeze he just took off. Thankfully, he held on.
"The ground was too soft for him at Newmarket last time, but you can't win this without having a run, so we had to run him there."
The Cheka's trainer, Eve Johnson Houghton, said: "We'll have to look at the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot next - I don't mind being second to Black Caviar!"
Paul Hanagan reported Mayson boiled over in the stalls while Hoof It stayed on into fifth.
Ron Harris has never been scared to ask his horses plenty of questions and Secret Witness is set to turn out again 24 hours later after his win in the William Birch & Sons Construction Stakes.
Having only run at Ascot on Saturday, the 14-1 chance burst clear under James Doyle and held on by half a length from Baby Strange and Fast Shot.
"He loved the ground and he's come on a lot from his run the other day. He'll run again tomorrow - there's no reason why not. He ran twice in two days at Doncaster last year," said Harris.
Gosden and Buick had won the earlier Infinity Tyres Stakes with the unexposed Gatewood (13-2).
"That was very nice. He had a harder race than I would have wanted. It was his first run after a long break," said Gosden.
"He wandered a bit, but I hope there's a bit more to come."
Marcus Tregoning had a welcome winner when Mulaqen ran away with the Constant Security Stakes under Hanagan.
The 8-1 chance won eased down by two and a quarter lengths from Mica Mika.
"He was a bit fresh but when I got a lead he settled. I don't know about Ascot but he'll improve a good bit for that," said Hanagan.
Declan Carroll's Lastchancelucas was a 100-1 winner on debut two weeks ago at Pontefract and followed up at 8-1 in the ripleycollection.com EBF Novice Stakes.
A first ride on the Knavesmire for the 7lb claimer Jason Hart, he held off the promising Mick Easterby newcomer Hoofalong by half a length.
"He's a real two-year-old and we might go for the Woodcote at Epsom (on Derby day) or he could go for the National Stakes at Sandown," said Carroll.
"Jason rode him as he has done a lot of work on him. He came to me from Mark Johnston's."
