THERE was double delight for North Yorkshire trainers Richard Fahey and Mick Easterby as the Dante Festival at York Racecourse came to a close.
Miss Work of Art and Tepmokea gave Malton-based Fahey victory in the first two races on the card before Thirteen Shivers and Hoof It scooped back-to-back contests later on for Sheriff Hutton-based Easterby.
Fahey’s flying filly, Miss Work of Art enhanced her reputation by taking the Listed Langley Solicitors EBF Shirocco Fillies’ Stakes, while Tepmokea served up another win in the very next race – the sportingbet.com Jorvik Stakes.
Miss Work of Art (6-5 fav) had drifted from 4-6 in the betting before the off but ranged up alongside pacesetter Vocational at the furlong marker and strode to a confident length victory – despite appearing to idle slightly once hitting the front in the five furlong contest.
With Fahey away in France supervising preparations for Wootton Bassett’s crack at the French Guineas tomorrow, assistant trainer Robin O’Ryan said Miss Work Of Art, now unbeaten in three starts, could go to Royal Ascot.
“We keep thinking she will be better over six furlongs but if it isn't broke don't fix it,” he said.
“You wouldn't know how good she is because she just pricks her ears when she hits the front.
“She takes her races well and she is a little star. Richard is delighted with her. She might go to Ascot but it is not set in stone.
“She is such a laid back filly. It would be either the Queen Mary or the Albany. We will take her home and see how she is.”
Hanagan added: “She has one of the nicest temperaments. She’s very straightforward. She’s not very big but she tries so hard.
“I think she’s a very good filly. She did a very good piece of work a couple of days ago.
“She will definitely be a lot better over another furlong. That’s why I like her so much.
“They’ve gone a stride too quick for her early on and I’ve just had to sit there and suffer but once she came good she was really good.”
Miss Work of Art was Hanagan’s first winner of the meeting – but he quickly doubled his tally when steering Tepmokea (9-1) down the rail.
“He’s a grand horse and tough,” added O’Ryan. “He was a little fresh and a bit keen but they have gone a good gallop and it suits him.
“He’s a galloper and he has run to the line.”
Thirteen Shivers (16-1) won the Ralph Raper Memorial Stakes by a length for Easterby but the trainer was ecstatic when Hoof It (6-1) followed up in the sportingbet.com Stakes under jockey Kieren Fallon.
“Isn’t it beautiful, I’m so happy,” said the veteran trainer.
“I get too excited. The Wokingham could be next if he doesn’t get too badly handicapped.”
Nawton trainer David O’Meara was only half a length away from claiming the feature Yorkshire Cup.
Blue Bajan (25-1) came with a late surge to hunt down John Gosden’s Duncan (11-4), who made most of the running in the one mile six furlong Group 2 contest.
Duncan, ridden by William Buick, just held on but O’Meara, whose yard has been in superb form, was delighted with Blue Bajan’s run.
“Who would have believed it? He’s nine years old,” he said. “This is a Group horse and we came here because the owners like York and wanted to run.
“I heard this was Duncan’s target all winter and he’s no mug. To get to half a length is a fantastic run and we are very fortunate to have this horse.”
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