NEWMARKET’s autumn meetings have been a happy hunting ground for Jim Bolger in recent years and the canny Irish handler landed another prestigious prize when even-money favourite Lucida took yesterday’s Group 2 Shadwell Rockfel Stakes.

For such a warm favourite things were far from easy but Kevin Manning made good ground from half-way and, having switched left at one point, pushed Lucida into the lead a 100 yards from home and went on to beat Barry Hills’ Fadhayyil, who ran green, by a length. It was another two lengths back to New Providence as early leader What Say You dropped out.

This is a good level of form and Lucida, a daughter of Shamardal, was paying Cursory Glance, who was just too good for her in the Moyglare Stud Stakes, a handsome compliment.

There is every reason to suppose she will be a leading candidate for the 1000 Guineas and the going rate with several firms is 10/1.

Bolger trains Lucida for Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed was on hand to witness the filly’s triumph. She should stay a mile with no problem at all and impressed Manning with her attitude.

“She changed legs once or twice down the hill but once she got organised on the ground she was fine,” he said. “She’s a filly on the up and will stay further.”

Bolger is the veteran of many successes at this level and takes the whole thing in his stride. He won this with Finsceal Beo in 2006 before going on to take the 1000 Guineas and clearly nurses similar hopes this time around.

“I was always happy, she has a relaxed style of racing and I knew when she hit the rising ground she’d be fine,” he said. “The Fillies’ Mile on October 17th is a possibility but that’s 50-50 at present.”