Connections heaped praise on Oscula as she again showed her grit when justifying favouritism in the Whispering Angel Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood.
William Buick's mount – trained by George Boughey for Nick Bradley Racing – was keen early on in the seven-furlong Group Three contest, but from a good draw in stall two the 100-30 chance found plenty of cover behind Soft Whisper, who set the pace from a wide berth.
Once the long-time leader faded, Internationalangel (66-1) was sent to the front by Adam Kirby and the Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained mare looked all over the winner inside the final furlong, only for Oscula to show plenty of heart on the far rail, getting up in the shadow of the post to record a head success.
French raider Samahram caught the eye staying on for third, a further length and a quarter back.
It was the three-year-old winner’s fourth run in 25 days, being in action as recently as Saturday when second in the Group Three Valiant Stakes at Ascot.
Boughey said: "Oscula is a real flagbearer for Nick Bradley who is a big supporter of the yard.
"She just keeps trying. My girlfriend Laura rides her out so it is a special success. She has run four times in July and I think she is peaking here. To have run four days ago, she is a remarkable horse.
"I sent a video to Nick and William Buick of Oscula charging round the paddock yesterday evening, she is a remarkable horse. She puts her weight on within 24 hours and she is a real star.
"It was a tough watch, but William is a huge part of the team so it was great. I’ve put her in a race in France in 10 days’ time so we might go there."
Trillium (7-1) came with a tremendous burst up the stands side under Pat Dobbs to take the Markel Molecomb Stakes.
It looked a bold move by trainer Richard Hannon to drop the No Nay Never filly back to five furlongs for the first time on a sharp track for just her third start, yet she handled both the trip and the step up to Group Three company with aplomb, looking like she had just joined in when producing her finishing kick.
Though she had plenty to do with two furlongs to race, with Eddie's Boy and Rocket Rodney setting the pace, Dobbs bided his time and Trillium's acceleration was instant, as she powered home to score by a length and a quarter from even-money favourite Rocket Rodney, with Walbank half a length further back in third.
"She has always been a lovely filly and I was amazed she did not win here first time, she probably did not know enough and was a bit keen," said Hannon.
"She won her maiden very nicely at Newbury. She's always been a very nice filly and she’s starting to look like a strong two-year-old. She came in pretty late, but she’s a credit to Rockliffe Stud, they bred her and she’s a very good filly. We’ll look at something like the Morny."
Secret State (11-4f) enhanced his St Leger credentials as he made it four wins in his last four starts .
The market leader for the Coral Beaten-By-A-Length Free Bet Handicap over a mile and a half, Charlie Appleby's three-year-old was keen early and drifted left in the closing stages, having hit the front at the cutaway.
But the Dubawi colt showed plenty of determination under William Buick to hold Maksud by a length and a quarter, backing up his King George V success from Royal Ascot in the process. Inverness stayed on well for third, a further head behind.
Appleby said: "That Royal Ascot race worked out well and physically he has done nothing but improve from the early summer to where we are today.
"I think the most logical step, going forward, will be to go to the Great Voltigeur. I know William has mooted the Leger, but it's baby steps – from handicaps stepping up into Group company is a big thing. He’s a horse that I was very confident in coming into day, on what he achieved at Ascot and on how the horse is physically doing at the moment.
"We were, as I say, confident coming here today with a vision that this will be a springboard to the Great Voltigeur."
The Platinum Queen (5-6F) could be set to clash with her elders after breaking the five-furlong track record with an astonishing performance in the British EBF Alice Keppel Fillies' Conditions Stakes.
The Richard Fahey-trained daughter of Cotai Glory posted a time of 56.5 seconds under Oisin Orr, bettering the mark set by Trillium in the Molecomb Stakes earlier in the afternoon.
The Middleham Park Racing-owned filly made virtually all the running, backing up her York novice success and powering four lengths clear of Union Court, with Star Of Lady M two lengths further back in third.
Fahey is now mulling over the possibility of supplementing her for the Nunthorpe at York on 24 August.
He said: "Oh God, she is an extremely fast filly. We had a filly a few years ago that was quite quick (Queen Kindly), but this filly has a great mind and she goes fast very easily.
"It is not easy cantering her at home because she wants to go fast all the time. She does that easily. But all the rest of it is brilliant. She is a great-minded filly. There was talk about maybe supplementing her for the Nunthorpe this morning.
"It was discussed before the race, so I can’t see why it would not be discussed after it now!"
