RACING/Guineas Review: It's not often a Classic winner is overshadowed by the horse he has just beaten but that is what happened to Rock Of Gibraltar after his neck defeat of Hawk Wing in Saturday's Sagitta 2,000 Guineas.

Aidan O'Brien may have failed yesterday to pick up the one British Classic that continues to elude him, after the Godolphin filly Kazzia won the 1,000 Guineas, but the focus remained on Hawk Wing and the effects of the draw at Newmarket.

Drawn away from the favoured rail, and the pace in the race, Hawk Wing still showed a remarkable turn of foot to close on his stable companion all the way to the line.

"The draw beat him and nothing else. He's a champion," said jockey Jamie Spencer, and the bookmakers leaped to agree with quotes as low as 2 to 1 for the Epsom Derby.

O'Brien, however, is not firmly committing Hawk Wing to the Derby just yet and yesterday described the colt as a "possible" for Epsom.

"It's a long way to the Derby and there's no point in saying anything for definite just yet," he said.

"They've come out of the race fine and I would think Rock Of Gibraltar might go for the St James's Palace next."

The effects of the draw inevitably deflected some attention from Rock Of Gibraltar but the colt's victory was a remarkable success for owner Alex Ferguson and jockey Johnny Murtagh, a staunch Manchester United fan.

The Manchester United manager bought into Rock Of Gibraltar last year and he has now won three Group One races.

"This beats not being in the FA Cup final at Cardiff. I was in a bundle of nerves. I couldn't see where my horse was and then all of a sudden he appeared from nowhere. Aidan said he would be in the first three and he was bang on," said Ferguson who can now look forward to Royal Ascot.

The plans are less clear for both Johannesburg and Castle Gandolfo who finished eighth and 12th respectively behind War Emblem in Saturday night's Kentucky Derby.

"It was a slowly run race and Johannesburg got caught back when they quickened. I'm not sure where he will run next. We'll get them home and see," said O'Brien.

In the circumstances, after a 10-horse raid on three Classic races, on two continents, the Ballydoyle weekend armada petered out rather tamely yesterday.

Quarter Moon did best of the Irish quartet in fifth with Lahinch in seventh after having shared the lead with Kazzia for much of the mile.

In a slowly run race, Frankie Dettori kicked from the front at the three-furlong pole and it was left to the Pat Eddery-ridden outsider Snowfire to make the winner pull out all the stops.

"That's a bit of a surprise!" beamed Dettori. "She didn't have the best trip from Dubai and there were plenty of ifs and buts.

"However I knew she would stay the trip and I knew nothing would beat us if we got into a battle because she is very tough.

Kazzia was provisionally pencilled in a for a crack at the Entenmanns Irish 1,000 Guineas in 20 days time by trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.

No sooner has the first Classic wave disappeared but O'Brien begins his preparations for the Entenmans Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh today.

The Ballydoyle trainer has half of the six horses in the Group Three Tetrarch Stakes with Century City looking the most likely to pick up the trial prize.

The Danzig colt showed the benefit of a run with a victory at Leopardstown last time that indicated he should still be on the upgrade.

His stable companion, Roar Of The Tiger, a brother to Giant's Causeway, is another interesting contender and remember that Black Minnaloushe was a third string when beaten in this race last year.

Nevertheless, Century City looks one to keep improving and can kick start another successful day for the Coolmore camp.

The Leger winner Milan has his first start since finishing runner up in the Breeders' Cup Turf and should pick up the Mooresbridge Stakes.

Milan has to concede weight to the Gladness winner Rebelline but still comes out well ahead on the ratings and should have the speed for the mile and a quarter.

The Storm Cat colt Ontario should improve significantly for his first start and looks the pick in the opener but it could be a different story in the Athasi with Dermot Weld running Rum Charger.

This very fast filly was a seven-length course winner last season and is held in some regard by her trainer who might also score in the last with Irresistible Jewel.

Jim Gorman has his string in flying form and he runs five in the seven-furlong handicap with Kinane a significant booking for Ladylishandra.

However, seven furlongs on ground with a give in it is ideal for Sparkling Harmony who is now rated 11lb lower than last season.