Sophisticat gave Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Michael Kinane their second Group One success of the Royal Ascot week, following Rock Of Gibraltar's win in the St James's Palace Stakes, when getting up close home to grab the Coronation Stakes.
Nearer last than first as the field turned into the short straight, Sophisticat (11-2) had to be produced on the wide outside to make her challenge and it was only in the final 50 yards that she headed Zenda (7-1) to score by a neck. Dolores (5-1) was two and a half lengths further away in third.
With Sophisticat's intended pacemaker Maryinsky slowly away, Pat Eddery set a good gallop on Red Liason. Dolores went on two furlongs from home but she was quickly collared by Zenda, the French 1000 Guineas winner.
But just when Richard Hughes thought he was about to complete a famous double he had the prize snatched from his grasp by Sophisticat's late surge. Big disappointment of the race was the 6-4 favourite Gossamer. The Irish 1000 Guineas winner was unplaced after appearing to find the ground too fast.
Delighted part-owner Michael Tabor told the BBC: "She was very convincing but during the race I was saying she had nowhere to go.
"This ground is just what she wants. She's a bit of a madam but she's a fabulous filly and we always knew she had a big race in her."
Kinane was relieved his waiting tactics had paid off on the Storm Cat filly, who had finished third to Zenda at Longchamp.
He said: "We were always hoping there was plenty of pace on in the race. Richard got an easy enough lead in France and got away from me so the plan today was to make sure there was a good honest pace and ride a waiting race on her - but I nearly overdid it!
"But you can't get there too soon on her."
PA