LUCKY Vega shot into the big time with a taking win in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

As a big Ballydoyle gamble went west on St Mark's Basilica, trainer Jessica Harrington had the last laugh as her youngster put the race to bed with a sweeping turn of foot.

He travelled sweetly in midfield throughout, and as her main rivals started to paddle late on he kicked on in style.

The bookies were impressed and Paddy Power reacted by giving quotes of 16-1 for next year's Guineas.

Aloha Star ran well in second with Michael Bell's The Lir Jet third under Oisin Murphy but the two places were later switched after a stewards' enquiry.

Harrington said: "He was good. That's Mr Zhang's first Group 1 winner worldwide. I'm absolutely delighted for the horse and it's great for Mr Zhang.

"He's a nice horse going forward and Shane said he's getting quicker. He probably needed it the last day because he had won his maiden without getting into a battle. The last day when he got into a bit of a battle it just hardened him up.

"He was much more streetwise and on his work at home he had really started to come to himself.

"We thought he was working well, but you never know until you go racing and everyone said this was a strong renewal.

"We'll have to sit down and think now, but Shane said we'd probably be thinking about the Middle Park. I think he'll get seven as well.

"Last year was all about the fillies, so it's great this year to come up with a good colt."

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