Coral Vintage Stakes report and replay: Zavateri edges thriller

It was all change inside the final furlong as the two principals threw down their challenges and it seemed for a stride or three that the runner-up, played last of all, was going to run down his rival.

However Charlie Bishop conjured a tremendous rally from the leader who fought off his pursuer to win by a short-head.

The pair pulled a length-and-three quarters clear of Do Or Do Not in third.

The well-backed 13/8 favourite Dorset never threatened to get involved in the finish having raced freely under Ryan Moore.

“I didn’t know where to go. A three pound penalty makes it damn hard but where do you go with a Group Two winner? There are only Group Ones and they’re not until September or October,” winning trainer Eve Johnson Houghton told ITV Racing.

“He’s not only talented but he’s tough. I said ‘make sure you’re the last one to hit the line’ then suddenly William (Buick on the runner-up) came and I thought ‘oh no we’re going to be done’ and he just went again.

“He’s so tough and very, very talented. What a horse. I put him in the Mill Reef today in case he didn’t stay and that’s obviously out of the question now and you can’t go with a double penalty somewhere can you?

“We’ve got to wait for the Group Ones now.”

Timeform View: David Cleary

A good mix of two year olds with useful form in pattern/listed events or plenty of promise from maidens and novices lined up for what looked set to be an up-to-scratch running of the Vintage Stakes. One of the latter, Dorset, was sent off a strong favourite. However it was Zavateri, one who had already won at Group 2 level, who came out on top.

Zavateri, stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time, probably didn't need to improve hugely on the form he showed in landing the July Stakes, chased home by an outsider and the July Stakes runner-up. Zavateri travelled smoothly under a patient ride in a soundly-run race and after leading a furlong out found extra when the runner-up Morris Dancer looked set to overhaul him in the last 50 yards. Zavateri's willing attitude will continue to stand him in good stead.

In following up from Newmarket, Zavateri became the first to win the Vintage Stakes under a penalty since Olympic Glory in 2012. That colt went on to win a Group 1 at seven furlongs at two and three further races at the highest level at three and four. Zavateri still has a fair way to go to match those exploits, though the Dewhurst is the obvious next step and he'll be no forlorn hope in that. Although he'll surely be kept to seven furlongs this campaign, he is very likely to stay a mile next year, so Guineas quotes might have been more forthcoming.

More from Sporting Life

• Racecards
• Fast results
• Full results and free video replays
• Horse racing news
• Horse racing tips
• Horse racing features
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Football and other sports tips
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.