Royal Rhyme (9/1) marked himself down as a Stakes horse in waiting when scooting clear of a competitive field to take the Coral Kincsem Handicap by six and a half lengths.
Back on slower ground, the Karl Burke-trained son of Lope De Vega travelled powerfully and was the only contender still on the bridle passing the two-furlong pole.
Once asked to quicken, Royal Rhyme forged clear to give jockey Clifford Lee his first winner at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Runner-up Have Secret won the battle for the minor honours, with Alsakib three quarters of a length further back in third.
Lee said: “We have definitely liked this horse for a while. Today he had a great draw [2] and the plan was to get in amongst them, get him to relax, and he has finished off his race really nicely.
“I thought we went a nice, even gallop. He always travels so well, and he loves passing horses. Last time out didn't really help because I was stuck wide and didn't get any cover.
“I was in a lovely position throughout and he travelled lovely through the race. Once we went through the three [furlong marker] today, I knew we were going to pick them off. It was just a matter of pushing the button.
“He is a nice horse when things go right. He definitely needs cover, so being in amongst them helps. You can really be patient, and today he has done it well.
“I think he is definitely Listed class and possibly a Group horse in the making. This is his kind of trip. He probably would get further if he learns to relax, but for now, definitely a mile and a quarter.
“He loves this type of ground. He travels very well on it. I think it has dried up a lot compared to yesterday; it’s quite loose and tacky out there and definitely on the soft side.”
Richard Fahey said of Have Secret: “He has run a cracking race, which he has done all season. He is a horse who is getting better with racing, but he keeps just finding one or two too good. But we are delighted with him.”
Oisin Orr added: “He has run a good, solid race. I travelled everywhere, I had to sit and wait for a bit of room, but I don’t think I would have beaten the winner anyway. He has run a good race.”
1.50pm Coral Kincsem Handicap
1 Royal Rhyme (Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum) Karl Burke 3-9-00 Clifford Lee 9/1
2 Have Secret (Peter Timmins & John Rodes) Richard Fahey 3-8-11 Oisin Orr 14/1
3 Alsakib (Al Wasmiyah Stud) Andrew Balding 3-8-06 Oisin Murphy 12/1
15 ran 2/1F Perfuse (11th)
Karl Burke – 4th Qatar Goodwood Festival winner
Clifford Lee – 1st Qatar Goodwood Festival winner
