CHARLIE Hills has had to be patient with Kiyoshi but had his reward as the Dubawi filly, given a perfect waiting ride by Jamie Spencer, surged between horses to land the Group 3 Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes by just over a length from warm favourite Bragging, with Al Thakhira third.

When Spencer rides like this it is hard to understand his decision to retire.

Giving Kiyoshi all the time in the world, he held on to her until a gap appeared at the furlong marker, where she picked up and quickly settled the issue.

In some ways her price of 11/1 was very generous because she has regularly run against the best of her sex, though sickness and soft or heavy ground have held her back.

There is also the distinct possibility that she is better at this seven furlongs than a mile, while first-time cheekpieces obviously played their part, as well.

Hills, who completed a double with Commemorative in the juvenile maiden, mentioned the Sun Chariot Stakes as a possible target, while Spencer told Matt Chapman on At The Races that there was more chance of his interlocutor ‘having a career in Hollywood’ than there was of his changing his mind about retirement.

The Corsican, 11/2, won the mile and a quarter handicap for David Simcock and Jim Crowley but, on a day of doubles, Richard Fahey cut loose with a dual two-year-old strike.

Home Cummins kept on gamely to take the opening fillies’ nursery and Bond’s Girl came fast and late to land the very valuable Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance £300,000 2-y-o Stakes.

Bond’s Girl (14/1) was one of those smothered for pace when Tiggy Wiggy ran away with the Super Sprint at Newbury, but over a longer trip she wore down Heartbreak Hero and Mattmu to give jockey Paddy Mathers his biggest success to date. She had gone through the sales ring for only £3,000.

Russ Garritty’s son Jack, who started off at the Andrew Balding ‘academy’ but is with Fahey now, is excellent value for his 5lb claim and every ounce counted as 12/1 shot Home Cummins held East Coast Lady by a nose.

After a quiet start to the season Mick Channon is firing in winners everywhere and he enjoyed a memorable afternoon as 11/1 chance Shore Step held on grimly in the closing sprint handicap to follow up the victories of Harlequin Striker and Gratzie at Epsom and Jontleman at Chepstow.

The former Southampton and England man could not recall a previous four-timer but, as a man who lives entirely in the present, he would probably have forgotten it anyway.