Peter Snowden believes Sheikh Mohammed had another exciting colt in Shikra after his professional win at Newcastle on Wednesday.

However, Snowden and the Darley team must now decide whether to push ahead with a spring campaign or send the colt to the spelling paddock with a view to the autumn.

"He is a really nice colt and that was an exciting win so tomorrow we will sit down and decide on his immediate future," Darley's Jason Walsh said.

"He is obviously going to get better as he steps up to 2000 metres and beyond so we have to decide whether to press on to the Spring (Champion) Stakes or wait until the autumn."

While Christian Reith had an arm-chair ride on Shikra, Hugh Bowman had a more testing time aboard Saintly Lad.

The horse led to the turn but wanted to hang and then duck out after the field straightened.

However, he reserved his worst manners for the final 150 metres when he ducked in so sharply that Bowman had to fling his arms around the horse's neck to save himself from being dislodged.

"I could hear Hugh behind me and he wasn't happy," Reith said.

Stewards later ordered Saintly Lad to trial before he can race again.

A 15-month wait by Gosford trainer Angela Davies paid off when the talented but injury-prone Magic Cassius won the Hurricane Stakes (900m).

"This horse has had more operations than Joan Rivers," Davies said.

"He had a knee operation and we got him back and he won a trial at Wyong, then he had to go for a throat operation.

"The horse was out for another 15 months and a lot of other trainers tried to get him off me but his owner stuck solid.

"I am so happy for the horse and the owner that he has won today."

Magic Cassius was having his first run since June last year after being scratched on the eve of the 2012 Ramornie Handicap at Grafton because of the knee problem.

He has now won six of his eight starts.