Persica galloped on strongly from the front under Sean Levey to land the Hong Kong Jockey Club Lester Piggott Handicap at Epsom.
Richard Hannon’s charge was pressed by Portsmouth at the furlong pole after Oisin Murphy made a daring dart up the inside rail on the 5-2 favourite.
However, 9-2 shot Persica readily pulled out more when required to ultimately run out a convincing victor by two and a quarter lengths.
Hannon is now keen to send the son of New Bay to Royal Ascot where a move into group company could be on the cards depending on the impact of the handicapper.
“I’ve always thought he was a very nice horse and he is clearly improving,” said Hannon.
“He was unlucky at Newbury last time, but he did it well today. He’s a little bit fragile mentally and I didn’t think he would love it here today with the proximity to all the people. But he was able to do it his way in front and I’m very pleased.
“He will go to Royal Ascot, and what race now, I’m not sure. There’s three options and we will see what the handicapper does, one option could be the Hampton Court.
“He might well have been flattered by the way he got to the front and controlled the race but nevertheless a winner on Derby day – it’s not the Derby but it feels like a big one.”
Blue Storm finished strongly to land the Betfred 3YO “Dash” Handicap for Gemma Tutty, who revealed she was making her first trip to Epsom.
Rossa Ryan had to weave his way through a packed field on the Blue Point colt but got to the front in plenty of time and prevailed by three-quarters of a length at 8-1, in a race with a sad postscript following a fatal injury to Tears Of A Clown.
Tutty said: “I can’t complain with how this season is going, it’s a big team effort and I’ve got some great owners.
“He was a very cheap buy, my partner Kings Bloodstock bought him for just 7,000 guineas because it said on his page he was a box walker, a crib biter and he was a rig!
“He’s never box walked a day since we’ve got him home and while we can’t change the fact he is a rig it doesn’t stop him.
“He’s been so settled at home, almost lazy and then when you see him at the track he gives us an easy time as he’s so fast.
“The long-term plan has been the Palace of Holyrood House at Ascot, we thought we’d come here and run well on the way but to win is obviously fantastic. Rossa is keen on the plan.”
Relentless Voyager came with a smooth run under Oisin Murphy to take the Long Shot Northern Dancer Handicap for trainer Andrew Balding.
The 7-1 chance only had to be kept up to his work by Murphy over the final furlong to see off Ziggy by three lengths, with Asgard’s Captain back in third and the 12-year-old Not So Sleepy a creditable fourth.
Balding said: “He’s a decent horse and he was a bit unlucky in the Italian Derby last year. He had a wind issue that has happily been resolved and he’s in a really good place at the moment.”
David O’Meara’s Misty Grey (7-1) defied top-weight when getting up on the line to shade Mr Wagyu by a short head in a thrilling finish to the JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap, giving his rider Ryan a double on the day after Blue Storm’s triumph.
“I was delighted, he had the perfect slot just behind the leaders, managed to save a bit for the end and it was a great ride from Rossa Ryan. I’m thrilled for the horse and connections,” said O’Meara.
“It was a brilliant win at Newcastle the last day and he broke the track record. Up to now some of his better form had been on an artificial surface but he has come here today and shown he can also do it on grass.
“There’s a nice race back at Newcastle at the end of June, the Group Three Chipchase. We would have to have a look at that, but what he does between now and then I’m not certain.
“He’s been brilliant and a great addition to our yard. He’s full of himself, enjoying his racing and horses like that are a pleasure to have around the place. He’s a real trier.”
