Mozart lands gamble in Jersey

Mozart landed a gamble for the Ballydoyle team in the opening Group Three Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot today.

The Irish 2,000 Guineas second was well backed from 5-2 to 7-4f on the course and Mick Kinane took the bull by the horns from the start - bouncing the Danehill colt out in front.

He went for home two furlongs out and, although coming to the end of his stamina reserves inside the last half furlong, held on to deny Aldebaran by a neck. 100-1 shot Ratio was third.

'I`ve never seen a horse with pace like this. He has been working seriously well.' said trainer Aidan O`Brien afterwards.

Mozart now looks set to go for the July Cup at Newmarket next month.

'Speed is the main thing with this horse - he travels so fast. The plan was always to go back sprinting with him and this was a lovely race for him to bring him back slowly.'

Queen`s Logic showed an impressive turn of foot to land the Group Three Queen Mary for Steve Drowne and trainer Mick Channon.

The Grand Lodge filly swooped inside the last half furlong to head Sophisticat and score by half a length at 13-2.

'We always thought she was high-class.' said Channon. 'We were worried about the five furlongs as she wants a bit further but she has a great attitude and we were delighted with the way she done it today.'

Bookmakers breathed a huge sigh of relief after a monster gamble on Tough Speed came unstuck.

Kieren Fallon`s mount had been favourite for the Royal Hunt Cup ever since the weights were published and was backed down to an incredible 3-1 for the 30-runner handicap by the off.

But the four-year-old, whose trainer Sir Michael Stoute had lifted the big betting race with Caribbean Monarch 12 months previously, never threatened to reward his supporters and trailed in ninth.

Instead Ed Dunlop, whose Soviet Flash had beaten the market leader at York last month, came out on top again.

His Surprise Encounter, the 8-1 second favourite, quickened smartly from off the pace under Frankie Dettori to land the cavalry charge by an emphatic two and a half lengths from Big Result, with Muchea another half length away in third.

Dunlop was gainng his first victory in a race his trainer father John has lifted three times but he admitted: 'I didn`t think we could beat Tough Speed - he finished second at York to Soviet Flash and that horse came third in the Diomed Stakes at Epsom.

'But we have always liked this horse. He has had problems and we have taken it very steadily. I thought Frankie rode him beautifully today, he sat last and then quickened really well.'