Sir Michael Stoute has Sea Moon "back on track" after the one-time Derby fancy returned to action with a win at York on an afternoon dominated by a five-timer from Ryan Moore.
Regally bred, the colt is related to Derby and Arc hero Workforce and St Leger winner Brian Boru - and it is the Doncaster Classic that could be a possible target later in the season after his victory in the Give Generously To Macmillan Handicap.
Moore missed the kick on the 4-6 favourite and was one of the first to start niggling away in the 10-furlong contest, but after 228 days off the track Sea Moon was entitled to be a little rusty and he showed a willing attitude to reel in Flag Officer and win going away by a length and three-quarters.
The jockey said: "He's been off a long time and was a bit slow getting going. He was slow out of the stalls and the pace wasn't that strong. It took a while for the penny to drop, he hasn't really had a race before, and we just ground it out. He's got potential, but still has a fair way to go."
Owner Khalid Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe added: "He will be running over a mile and a half next and there is plenty of stamina in his pedigree. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that he could develop into a St Leger horse in time. He's back on track now."
Moore and Stoute were also on the mark with Confront (8-1), who was dropped into handicap company for the first time in over two years. Workforce's galloping companion, he hit the front some way out and held on by half a length from Sarrsar.
"I think he enjoyed having horses to follow for a change," said Grimthorpe. "He had a wide draw, but did it nicely in the end. He slightly lost his way last year, but he faced some stiff tasks."
Moore and Stoute were not finished as Entitled (9-2) got up late to win the Charles Henry Memorial Stakes, while the jockey also shone on David Elsworth's Swiss Spirit (4-6 favourite), who won the Reg Griffin Appreciation EBF Maiden despite running keen through the early stages.
He was seen to even better effect on Richard Hannon's My Son Max (4-1) in the York Race Committee Classified Stakes to make it a 687-1 five-timer.
When asked if he had ridden five winners on the same card before, Moore replied: "I can't remember, maybe not at the same meeting."
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