Quito Takes York Honours

A record Ladies Day crowd of 30,109 was treated to some high-class sport on the final afternoon of York's Ebor Festival with local hero Quito taking the starring role.

Trained just up the road at Stillington by David Chapman, the evergreen nine-year-old was winning his 19th race when he stormed home under Robert Winston in the SKF City Of York Stakes.

With his one-length call over Lightning Flash, Quito took his career earnings to almost £400,000.

Mapping out plans for the tough-as-teak gelding, Chapman said: 'He'll run at Beverley on Sunday if he eats up but if there is any doubt he'll go straight to Haydock Park a week on Saturday for the Sprint Cup.

'There are no shortage of races for him so I don't think he'll run in the Ayr Gold Cup.'

Anna Pavlova had racegoers cheering again 35 minutes later when she galloped away with the European Breeders Fund Galtres Stakes for Malton trainer Richard Fahey.

She could now be stepped up in trip and grade for the Group Two Park Hill Stakes over a mile and six furlongs back here next month.

'We'll stick her in the Park Hill and have a look,' said Fahey. 'I think she'll get the trip because she's a relaxed, laid back filly.

'The soft ground seems to be the key with her.'

Brian Meehan is making a habit of landing the #300,000 St Leger Yearling Stakes and Doctor Brown made it three wins in the last four years for the Manton trainer with a workmanlike display.

The winner was always travelling strongly for Frankie Dettori before being sent to the front with over a furlong to go.

Doctor Brown drifted to his right in the closing stages, hampering eventual third Prime Defender, but ran on stoutly once straightened up to beat Cockney Rebel by a length and a half and claim the #159,126 first prize.

Prime Defender was just a neck away.

A stewards' inquiry was announced but the result was allowed to stand,.

Dettori, however, was banned for three days (September 4,5 and 6) for 'failing to take any steps to prevent the interference'.

After the result was confirmed, a delighted Meehan said: 'He's a really nice horse and he'll go a fair way. I think the world of him.

'He just didn't get the seven furlongs in the Shergar Cup and I think he'll be a lovely horse next year.'

Barry Hills, trainer of the third, was fuming afterwards as he thought Prime Defender would have won but for the interference.

Smart Enough earned a crack at the totesport Cambridgeshire after trouncing his rivals in the Addleshaw Goddard Stakes.

He was given a brilliant front-running by Kerrin McEvoy to easily dispose of Bolodenka and Pride Of Nation by two and a half lengths and three-quarters.

Afterwards trainer Mikael Magnusson said: 'The Cambridgeshire is his target because I believe he is a mile-and-a-quarter horse.

'Next year perhaps he could be a Group horse. He's going the right way. He is a very talented horse.'

There was a nail-biting end to proceedings when Trick Or Treat edged out Ask by a short head after a protracted battle up the straight in the Brilliant Media Melrose Stakes.

(C) PA Sport