Dubai: Trainer Mark Johnston’s boast that Lumiere will win the English 1,000 Guineas in 2016 was given a massive boost when the Darley-bred filly recorded a courageous victory in the Group 2 Cheveley Park Stakes on the final day of Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire meeting on Saturday.

The two-year-old daughter of Shamardal, who is held in the highest regard by her trainer, vindicated Johnston’s conviction when delivering an exhilerating performance despite being under immense pressure in the closing stages of the six-furlong contest.

Ridden with supreme confidence by William Buick, wearing the colours of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, Lumiere showed remarkable strength of character to score by half a length from Illuminate, the mount of Frankie Dettori.

Beshrah, who is owned by Shaikh Rashid Dalmouk Al Maktoum, ran a blinder under Pat Cosgrave, to finish an exciting third, only beaten a head.

Johnston was struggling to control his emotions as he told Racing UK: “Coming here today, I hadn’t been as nervous before a race for a long time, because I thought she’s the best horse I’ve had for a long time.

“I hoped she was probably the best horse in the race, but I wasn’t sure if she had the experience or the condition for it.

“She was probably the tallest and rangiest horse in the race today and we always thought there should be no shortage of stamina and we also know she is very fast and has a tremendous cruising speed,” he added.

“I told William she’d stay and to ride her with confidence.

“I’m very hopeful she’ll get a mile next year. I told someone three weeks ago I didn’t know about the Cheveley Park, but I’m sure she’ll win the Guineas. I just hope I’m right.”

Buick, a member of Team Godolphin, was equally impressed with Lemiere and said: “She’s very exuberant. Even cantering down she wants to do everything quick, but she’ll mature and I really like way she saw it out to the line. They were snapping at her heels and it was a fantastic performance.

“I’m so happy for everyone - Mark and the whole team had so much faith in her.

“She’s a bit like riding a coiled spring, there’s not much you can do, you want to sit still and hope she comes back to you.

“She saved a bit to the end - she’s high class, any horse that can do that the way she did has to be very good, especially when you are doing a bit too much in front.

“Looking at her you think she’ll be a filly for next year as well, she’ll mature and might get a mile.”

British bookmakers Sky Bet dropped her odds for the 1,000 Guineas (May 1) to 12-1 from 16s and spokesman Michael Shinners said: “Many good judges thought she would be able to reverse the Lowther form and she did just that.

“She did really well to stick her head out at the business end having set a searing gallop throughout and you’d have to think that bodes well for her chances of getting a mile next year.”

Earlier Godolphin’s Buratino gave a good account of himself as he chased the classy Shalaa home in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes as First Victory landed the Maiden Fillies’ Stakes for Godolphin’s Saeed Bin Surour.