Superstar three-year-old Atlantic Jewel has confirmed her class by easily winning the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at Royal Randwick Racecourse in her first race since being spelled last October.

Atlantic Jewel has easily won her first race back - photo (c) Steve Hart

The unbeaten filly, ridden by Michael Rodd, was happy to sit mid-field for almost the entire race and left her run late but showed a remarkable turn of foot at the straight to dash away from the field and eventually win by nearly four lengths

It was an arrogant run from a highly talented horse who is likely to have one more run before being rested for a spring campaign which could include a tilt at the prestigious Cox Plate.

Rodd, who has ridden her to four of her six victories, sent a ominous warning to her future rivals saying she will only get better.

“All arrows were pointing to her to win like that, her trackwork and her trials, it was just that exciting we couldn’t really talk about it,” Rodd said.

“Really arrogant, she began really well and then she just switched off like she does…I just sort of let the reigns go and gave her a squeeze.

“She’ll get better as she gets further.”

It marks a successful return from injury for Atlantic Jewel and trainer Mark Kavanagh said he was relieved to get through today.

“I questioned myself a couple of times but I thought she’d do that,” he said.

A daughter of Fastnet Rock, Atlantic Jewel won the Group 1 Thousand Guineas ahead of the highly rated Mosheen last year and Kavanagh described her as “special.”

“She’s a special horse,” Kavanagh said.

“Look at her today, that was just remarkable what she did there.”

Kavanagh was hesitant to commit to the Cox Plate just yet but suggested that it was an option given the horse’s ability.

“The original plan was to give her one more [in Sydney], then have a nice little rest and then get back and head towards the spring,” Kavanagh said.

“Nothing is out of the question the way she is going right now.”

When they hit the straight it was clear the rest of the field would be left to challenge for the placings with Peter Moody-trained Mid Summer Music eventually finishing second ahead of Ladys Angel.