THEY always thought Delegator was a sprinter at Godolphin and he proved it by waltzing off with the £100,000 Duke of York Stakes on Knavesmire.
The five-year-old actually finished second to Sea The Stars over a mile in the 1,000 Guineas two years ago when trained by Brian Meehan, but, dropped down in trip to six furlongs for the first time in his career yesterday, he was led to Group 2 glory by Frankie Dettori for handler Saeed bin Suroor.
The charismatic Italian expressed surprise that Delegator (5-1) won with such ease – believing his mount was not fully fit.
But settled on the near-side rail, Dettori and Delegator delivered a telling blow in the latter stages to beat the David Nicholls-trained Regal Parade and outsider Tiddliwinks.
Dettori said: “We were always at some stage going to go sprinting. In the Breeders’ Cup last year, I had a job holding him.
“We decided to give it a go – despite the fact it was his first time out. I didn’t really expect him to win.
“It was a pleasant surprise and we still have a bit to work on. I was delighted with the way he did it. He looked a winner throughout. He’s had a few problems so it is nice to have him back.”
It did not take Malton trainer Richard Fahey too long to make his mark at York in 2011.
Fahey enjoyed a one-two when Common Touch (11-2) held off stable-mate Chiswick Bey in the Download The Blue Square iPhone App Stakes – the second race on the card.
Freddie Tylicki’s mount hit the front with a couple of furlongs remaining and bravely held off a determined challenge from Paul Hanagan, on board Chiswick Bey, and Invincible Ridge.
The three-year-old is owned by York Racecourse chairman Nicholas Wrigley and Fahey said: “It was a close call between the two of them and there wasn’t much between them in the race.
“It was one of those days where I thought something would come and beat the pair of them.
“It is nice for Nicholas. He’s quite a nice horse, and he has travelled well. He will come back here on May 21. The owner likes it here.
“He could be all right one day when he is mature and has grown. It’s probably the first time in a race he has done everything right.
“He’s normally keen and green. They went a good gallop and that suited him.”
Elsewhere, Roger Varian’s Pekan Star (13-2) claimed the opening Infinity Tyres Stakes, while Line of Duty grabbed the Countryweight Freight Stakes. Gatepost (7-2) was an impressive sight in the Bet at bluesq.com EBF Novice Stakes.
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