Delegator made a perfect first appearance for Godolphin with an emphatic victory in the totesport.com Celebration Mile at Goodwood.
Frankie Dettori extricated the 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes runner-up from a slight pocket to take this Group Two contest in fine style.
The 4-6 shot quickened like a class horse off what had been just a moderate pace to win by a length and a half from Zacinto, with the pace-setting Ordnance Row a close third.
A clearly impressed Dettori said of the former Brian Meehan inmate: "He showed a tremendous turn of foot, he's a proper horse.
"He was second to Sea The Stars, he was second to Mastercraftsman. It was nice to get his confidence back and it's all systems go for the QEII.
"I spoke to Jamie (Spencer) and he said ride him with confidence. I was actually quite taken with the way he picked up - I haven't ridden a horse like this for a while."
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford added: "His class has shown. Good horses can get themselves out of trouble and he has got that turn of foot.
"It was all there in the form book and we had hoped to see that kind of performance. But first time out for a new stable you are never sure.
"He will go to the QEII next as that is the race we want to win, and then he will go the Breeders' Cup for the Mile. Santa Anita will suit him well and that really is his race. The exciting thing is he stays in training next year."
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, said of Zacinto: "He has run a decent race and been beaten by a nice horse. He is coming forward all the time and we will look at races over a mile and a mile and a quarter for him."
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