Winter Power gave a career-best display as she blitzed her way to victory in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York.
Tim Easterby’s flying machine won for the third time on the Knavesmire this season with a devastating performance over five furlongs, as she defeated strongly-fancied rivals from America and France.
US raider Golden Pal was quickly away for Frankie Dettori from stall one on the far side – but Winter Power was also up with the speed from her draw in six.
Golden Pal’s run petered out disappointingly before the final furlong, but Winter Power (9-1) sustained her gallop for Silvestre de Sousa all the way to the line to win by a length and a quarter.
Emaraaty Anna (40-1) was second, with Dragon Symbol (4-1) half a length away in third.
Suesa, the 9-4 favourite for French trainer Francois Rohaut, was fourth, but Wesley Ward’s Golden Pal was only seventh.
The Great Habton trainer said:
“She’s an incredible filly. She just came right on the day.
“I wasn’t really worried about any other horse in the race really because you’ve just got to be focused on your own horse and get them to the races on the day healthy, well, fit and the jockey’s got to be chilled out.
“She’s relaxed now. She relaxes now in her work, and in her races she’s switched off.”
Kevin Ryan was thrilled with the run of Emaraaty Ana, another horse trained locally.
He said: “The Hamilton race gave him confidence. Passing the two-pole I knew they’d gone hard and it was a question of if they could keep it up as I knew he’d stay on strong.
“Fair do’s to the winner, she’s incredible. She probably hit a brick wall, but it was too close to the line for us.
“Ours is a very good horse. This fellow is as good as I’ve had. He’s probably a better six-furlong horse, we’ve run him over five to get him to relax but it leaves the rest of the season open.
“He’s probably a bit ground dependent and needs it quick, he’s in the Abbaye which might suit but he’s also in at Haydock and Champions Day which could come up as bogs so we’ll see.