Ten Bob Tony landed yet another shock in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) as he overhauled front-runner Opera Ballo to win the opening race of Royal Ascot at 59-1 in pari-mutuel wagering through the World Pool.
It had seemed as though Opera Ballo had burned off all his opponents from the front under jockey Billy Loughnane, but Ten Bob Tony and More Thunder, who had been at the back of the pack through the first half of the race, came charging through in the closing stages.
While Opera Ballo stuck his neck out in an attempt to hold them off, he was unable to do so and Ten Bob Tony was delivered at the perfect point to score by a half-length under Kieran Shoemark. More Thunder finished second while favorite and reigning Eclipse champion turf male Notable Speech was never involved.
"He traveled superbly," Shoemark said. "I didn't think we were going over quick and we wanted to ride him to run well. Clearly he's in a great vein of form.
"I'm somewhat surprised, but delighted. I'm riding for a great stable for Ed Walker and his team."
Ten Bob Tony completed the straight mile in 1:37.53 on good-to-firm turf.
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Winning trainer Ed Walker praised owner Simon Sadler, who has been on trial in Hong Kong on allegations of insider trading at his now-closed company Segantii Capital Management, for pushing for Ten Bob Tony to run despite concerns the ground would be too firm.
"Fair play to Simon, he said, 'Have a go,'" Walker said. "It's like a carpet out there and we thought we'd drop him out and ride him cold and see. Kieran nailed it.
"You can't win (sitting) at home. Harry Eustace showed last year (with Docklands) that you can win this race at a good price."
As a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event, Ten Bob Tony has earned an automatic, fees-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
Charlie Appleby is set to split Opera Ballo and Notable Speech for their future outings, and said: "I'm delighted with Opera Ballo. Billy (Loughnane) said he was keen for the first 2 (furlongs). For me, he's got the Sussex written all over him.
"For Notable Speech, he's three (losses) from three now (at Ascot). William's body language at the two pole asking him to pick up the leaders is never a good sign with him. For whatever reason he doesn't turn up here. He'll go to France and then go on his travels around the world."
Notable Speech nailed down his Eclipse championship with a victory in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar but, by his high standards, has struggled this year with off-the-board finishes in the Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland and now the Queen Mary at Ascot bookending a win in the Lockinge Stakes (G1).
Ten Bob Tony entered Tuesday's race off the second group 3 victory of his career, a narrow score in the Tattenham Corner Stakes (G3) June 6 at Epsom Downs Racecourse. The 5-year-old Night of Thunder gelding previously earned a group 1 placing when third in last year's Prix de la Foret (G1) at ParisLongchamp.
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