WHEN it comes to racing quotes of the season, surely one from Eve Johnson Houghton should be submitted to the short list.

"She shows nothing at home, I mean nothing. In fact she wouldn't even beat me on the gallops if I wore wellies!"

Johnson Houghton was somewhat stunned at the outcome of Salisbury's ten furlong handicap today when her recent Lingfield scorer Bella Vita was struggling to make a place, let alone win.

But win she did, challenging on the outside as the race looked as though it would develop into a bunch finish with four virtually line at the one furlong marker but she ran on stoutly to win going away by a length and three quarters lengths.

"It was very disappointing two out. I thought she was going nowhere but then, how things changed! She's a very nice filly who likes the firm ground and I think needs one and a half miles. Hopefully we will find another nice race for her."

Twelve months ago the racing world was introduced to the very speedy Rumbleinthejungle who won the valuable Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood and then finish third in the Middle Park at Newmarket.

Possibly history might repeat itself after Symbolize stylishly took the same five furlong race for juvenile fillies, with trainer Andrew Balding not ruling out Royal Ascot as a follow up.

"We will see where our options lie," assessed the Kingsclere trainer of his first two-year-old winner of the season. "We are certainly very pleased with that. She has shown plenty of ability at home and it's nice to see that here."

Jockey David Probert was equally impressed.

"She was very professional. She travelled nicely behind and when the gap came, she took it very nicely."

John Gosden suffered an agonising defeat with his major Derby hope Too Darn Hot in the Dante at York but minor compensation came another of his Epsom entries in Humanitarian who took the 10 furlong novice stakes.

Given an uncontested lead, the Noble Mission colt did not exactly scorch the turf but won comfortably enough by three quarters of a length, Robert Havlin reporting: "I think he will get a mile and a half in time and the ground today was plenty quick enough for him."

The Newmarket stable was expected to notch a double with even money shot Stratisfaction in the first division of the 10f maiden but he was readily swept aside by La Lune who stepped up markedly on her Southwell run when sent off at 66/1.

Jack Mitchell had to overcome traffic problems to take the first division, switching Motivate Me well inside the furlong for a three quarters of a length victory.

Mitchell put inexperience down for a disappointing showing on his debut at Sandown.

"She was still green today and will progress with a longer trip. She comes from a staying family and I wasn't going anywhere until one out, then she clicked into gear and was going away at the line."

The consistent Chitra made a winning seasonal debut - and there's more to come, according to jockey Richard Kingscote.

Claire Kubler, deputising for husband Richard who was saddling a runner at York, said; " She is a determined filly who puts in her best every time. I hope she can progress, Richard says there is more in the tank."