Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien landed his third win at this year's Royal Ascot when favourite Mozart held on to take the opening Jersey Stakes. Stable jockey Michael Kinane was on board the 7/4 shot after missing out on yesterday's two winning rides on Black Minnaloushe and Landseer when he partnered beaten stable-companions, and the pair just about made it to the line by a neck before second-placed Aldebaran at 10/1 had the chance to overtake.
Three quarters of a length behind in third was the outside chance Ratio who came in at 100/1. For the punters at this prestigious meeting, it was a welcome result as Mozart is the only favourite so far to come home a winner.
Understandably, O'Brien was thrilled with the result. "He did it real well. He is a really fast horse. He works unbelievably. We always knew the last half-furlong would be the question-mark here but his courage made him hold on. And Michael gave him a beautiful ride today," said the trainer afterwards. It is expected O'Brien will now decide the Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up should revert back to sprinting.
However, there was disappointment for O'Brien in the in the Queen Mary Stakes when 25/1 shot Sophisticat, again partnered by Kinane, came in second, a half-length behind Mick Channon's Queen's Logic. O'Brien said afterwards he felt his horse was not helped by the fact she started from stall 19. "She ran a great race but the draw didn't help her," he mused.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
