Russian Rhythm, as expected

Russian Rhythm surprised no one with her victory in Friday's Group 1, $450,000 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Sent off at odds of 4-7, or slightly longer than 1-2, the Michael Stoute-trained Russian Rhythm strode out a 1 1/2-length winner over Soviet Song in the one-mile race to become the first filly to complete the 1000 Guineas-Coronation Stakes double since One in a Million in 1979.

Russian Rhythm's owners, Cheveley Park Stud, on Thursday won the Group 3 La Coupe at Longchamp with Carnival Dancer. But while Carnival Dancer is a homebred, Russian Rhythm was bred in Kentucky by Brushwood Stable, which sold her as a foal for $370,000. Cheveley Park bought her at Tattersalls for $678,770 as a yearling.

With the exception of Soviet Song, who had finished 4 1/4 lengths behind Russian Rhythm when fourth in the Guineas, Russian Rhythm had little to beat in the Coronation. She also had the help of stablemate Fantasize as a pacesetter.

Gary Stevens found himself in the unusual position of clearing a path for Russian Rhythm aboard Fantasize, and he played his part perfectly. Entering the stretch, he angled his filly wide to provide a gap through which Kieren Fallon shot the winner. Fantasize finished fifth.

The fast ground also played to Russian Rhythm's advantage. Labeled good to firm, firm in places, it provided the basis for a quick winning time of 1:38.51 on Ascot's uphill right-handed mile. This, in spite of a modest early pace. Fallon declared that Russian Rhythm will do even better with a stronger early pace.

In the finale, Stevens narrowly missed his second winner of the meeting when 12-1 Hurricane Floyd went down by a half-length to Attache, the 138-pound highweight in the 27-runner Buckingham Palace Handicap at seven furlongs.

Meanwhile, High Accolade gave favorite players another chance to rejoice when he prevailed in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at 5-2. Unbeaten as a 3-year-old after three starts, the Marcus Tregoning-trained High Accolade defeated Delsarte by two lengths while getting the 1 1/2 miles in 2:28.45.