Kevin Prendergast described himself as being "on a hiding to nothing" before yesterday's Belgrave Stakes at Fairyhouse, but Haatef justified the trainer's decision to run and now faces a possible trip to Goodwood for the Group One Sussex Stakes.
Extremely testing conditions made it harder for the 1 to 2 favourite to show his class, but under a strong Declan McDonogh drive Haatef powered to a length-and-a-half defeat of Moone Cross.
"It's terrible ground, practically unraceable, and it was a good effort against older horses in those conditions. I'm relieved about that. I was on a hiding to nothing because it was my call about us running," Prendergast said, before outlining a choice of targets at the coming Goodwood festival.
"There's a seven-furlong Group (Betfair Lennox Stakes), and he is also in the Sussex at a mile. I'll have to discuss with the boss (Sheikh Hamdan), but at least he will get good ground over there," added.
There was also some Group One talk after the opening fillies maiden, where the heavily supported newcomer Sharleez did enough to earn a 40 to 1 quote from Ladbrokes for next year's 1,000 Guineas.
"Heavy heavy!" was Michael Kinane's verdict on the going, and John Oxx was also a relieved man that the Aga Khan-owned filly provided him with a first two-year-old winner of the season.
"It's a worry when they've been working on artificial surfaces to then bring them to heavy ground, but she had enough in hand to get away with it," Oxx said.
Sharleez was only officially named last week, and as a result will need to be supplemented into next month's Debutante Stakes at the Curragh.
"She's a nice two-year-old type, but because of the delay in naming her, she has no entries," Oxx explained.
Kieren Fallon returned to action with a winner when One Great Cat overcame traffic problems to justify odds on favouritism in the juvenile colts maiden.
It was a welcome return for Fallon, whose fall in France 10 days ago meant missing the Irish Oaks-winning ride on Peeping Fawn last weekend.
"We think he's a nice colt. He got stuck in the mud on his first start but he had that experience to help him this time," said One Great Cat's trainer, Aidan O'Brien.
Fallon and O'Brien also combined to win the conditions race with Trinity College, who rallied when headed by Fleeting Shadow to run out a neck winner.
Dermot Weld has Galway on his mind for Lisselan Eagle after Pat Smullen was at his strongest to get the 6 to 4 favourite home in front in the nine-furlong handicap. "He'll be put in a flat handicap and a hurdle," confirmed Weld, while Smullen, when asked if he'd ride the horse in the hurdle, replied: "Give me a 7lb claim and I'll ride Ansar too!"
Raise Your Heart followed up a midweek win at Leopardstown with a clear success in the final handicap under David McCabe.
