Godolphin can finally look towards the Classics with genuine enthusiasm after Rio De La Plata stamped his authority on the Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.

While the older horses have propped them up of late, Sheikh Mohammed's team have underachieved in the major three-year-old heats for the astonishing investment they make in equine talent.

Indeed, they have not lifted the 2000 Guineas since Island Sands in 1999 but the Sheikh will be getting excited about this beautiful-moving chestnut, who is as short as 8-1 for next year's renewal.

A winner of a decent maiden at Newmarket last time, Rio De La Plata was backed into 8-13 favourite for this Group Two event, won in 2005 by Derby hero Sir Percy, and the result was never really in doubt.

Frankie Dettori surged into the lead with a couple of furlongs to run and he skipped right away, only having to be nudged along to hold off the running-on Lizard Island by two lengths.

"We would have been disappointed if he had not won," said Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager.

"We fancied him first time out and he found it a bit sharp, then we were a bit surprised how well he won the next time.

"But on the back of that, we were not surprised he won this."

Crisford continued: "We will look at all the autumn Group Ones, but he will probably go straight for the Dewhurst.

"There is also the National Stakes in Ireland and a race on Arc Day, but if it all goes according to plan, he could end up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Monmouth Park.

"He'll have a Classic preparation, for sure. Obviously we hope we have one or two others who will be good, but Rio De La Plata is stoutly bred and will certainly get a mile and a quarter next year."

Ominously, trainer Saeed bin Suroor added: "This year the two-year-olds are much better than in previous years, and especially in comparison to last year."

Godolphin's old rival Aidan O'Brien was responsible for Lizard Island and said: "We were very happy with him and he has run a grand race. He came from a long way back and will have learned a lot from it."