Sugarfoot went two places better than 12 months ago to win the Listed Michael Page International Silver Trophy Stakes.
Nigel Tinkler's hardy six-year-old slithered round the home turn but soon regained full stride under Willie Ryan to gradually reel in Duck Row, who had poached a handy lead before the straight.
Sugarfoot led entering the final furlong and then thought he had the race won, Ryan forced to drive him out to ensure a half length victory from the strong finishing Pulau Tioman, with Duck Row a short head behind in third,
Tinkler said: 'He didn't handle the bend, but it's probably won him the race in the end as it stopped him getting there too soon. He thought he'd done enough and he just started to pull himself up.'
Tinkler is hoping to finalise a possible deal to create a stallion career for Sugarfoot next year.
He said: 'We had an offer for him to stand in Ireland and it would be lovely if we could win a Group Two before the end of the season. We don't want to race him next year as he's six now and should be at his best.'
However, money comes before prestige with Tinkler eyeing the valuable Tote International Handicap at Ascot in two weeks as the next target for Sugarfoot. The 3lb penalty Sugarfoot earnt today takes his weight to 9st 9lb.
Tinkler beamed: 'He's a lovely horse. Out of this world. He's the best I've trained.
