Tom Marquand completed a quickfire double at Sandown on Saturday as Mystic Pearl sprung a 22/1 surprise in the Coral Distaff.
William Haggas' filly seemingly had it all to do off an official rating of 78 but the daughter of Invincible Spirit found plenty of improvement when running on strongly to land Listed spoils this afternoon.
The lightly-raced three-year-old arrived following a second-place finish in a Class 4 course and distance handicap three weeks ago.
Andrea Atzeni did well to get across from his wide draw onboard the 5/2 market leader Stenton Glider and the pair were allowed to set their own fractions out in front. Hugo Palmer's filly looked to have seen off a strong challenge from Magical Sunset, who was also positioned towards the fore throughout but found herself passed late on by Mystic Pearl under a patient ride from Tom Marquand and the duo were comfortably three-quarters of a length clear at the line.
Front-runner Stenton Glider hung on grimly to finish second with Godolphin's Bridestones (7/2) a neck behind in third.
Of the winner, Haggas said: "She is in the July Sale [at Tattersalls] on Thursday, but I guess she will be out of that now. She ran very well here last time and was unfortunate. She probably should have won.
"I didn't think bar the favourite that they were a great bunch. I thought they were a disappointing bunch of fillies, and I thought it was worth a shot.
"Then we got the outside draw, but we have a good jockey. We quite liked her today, which sounds odd off 78, but when fillies are in form you hope. You can't win a Listed race if you don't run in one.
"I like the way she looked, and she has been looking really good and holding her condition well and eating well and all those things add up."
Immediate plans remain fluid for Mystic Pearl, however, Haggas hinted that he is likely to chance her arm at Group race level.
The Newmarket-based handler added: "That is sort of job done and I guess we will try again in a Group 3 as there is nothing to lose.
"She won't be quick enough for that [Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood] or the hurly-burly of that. Tom gave her a beautiful ride as he didn't go too early. He nursed her into the race and used that turn of foot when they were slowing down.
"I would think we stay at a mile and go to France or somewhere for a Group 3."
