Russian Rhythm powers clear of her rivals More photos from day four

Classic-winning filly Russian Rhythm justified her odds-on favouritism to win the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Victory in the Group One one-mile contest means that the Sir Michael Stoute-trained three-year-old is the first horse since 1979 to achieve the 1,000 Guineas-Coronation Stakes double.

Her victory also brought some welcome respite to punters who had seen odds-on favourites, Hawk Wing and Kheleyf, upset earlier in the week.

The early pace was set by Russian Rhythm's stablemate Fantasize and the Mick Channon-trained Mail The Desert.

But Russian Rhythm, ridden by champion jockey Kieren Fallon, was always handily placed and moved ahead at the two-furlong marker.

Second favourite Soviet Song followed her clear but Russian Rhythm proved too strong and finished 1� lengths clear.

It was Fallon's second winner of the meeting and a welcome change of fortune after he picked up a one-day ban in the previous race.

You have to be a Group One performer to win Group One races and she certainly performed like that today Sir Michael Stoute

"When I kicked I didn't think anything could get by me. If Oscar (Urbina, rider of Soviet Song) had got close I would have found another gear," said Fallon.

Stoute said that he was pleased to have overcome the Coronation Stakes "jinx" for 1,000 Guineas winners.

"It's a relief to have got the day over because the record of the Guineas winners isn't very good," the Newmarket trainer said.

"You have to be a Group One performer to win Group One races and she certainly performed like that today."

Stoute added that he would probably keep the filly running over the same distance.

"She came there very smoothly and it was a top-class performance. "I can't see any reason to go further with her, at least at the moment," he said.

"She is in the Sussex Stakes (at Goodwood on 30 July) and that is the obvious race to look at for her.

"Kieren has always been adamant that a mile is her trip."

Despite coming second, James Fanshawe, trainer of Soviet Song, was delighted with her display.

"You never like to get beaten but I am absolutely thrilled that she has run so well," he said.

"Hopefully she has a good season ahead of her and we have the added advantage of knowing she handles soft ground, so we can look forward to the autumn."

Coronation Stakes
One mile

1 Russian Rhythm ( K Fallon) 4-7f
2 Soviet Song (O Urbina) 9-2
3 Mail The Desert (S Drowne) 14-1
Nine ran. Dist: 1�l, 3l