Zavateri set for return to seven furlongs in City of York Stakes

Zavateri is poised to drop in trip for the Sky Bet City of York Stakes after mixing it with the best of the mile division in the Sussex Stakes during the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

One of last year’s star juveniles, Eve Johnson Houghton’s leading performer had not been seen since finishing second in the Greenham earlier this season, missing slated Classic engagements and Royal Ascot with a small setback.

His Woodway handler was relishing getting the son of Without Parole back on a racecourse at the Sussex Downs and having not been disgraced when fifth in an all-star clash won by Bow Echo, Johnson Houghton is confident a fitter model will be seen on the Knavesmire later this month.

She said: “He put up a great fight and was unlucky not to be third, I think.

“I thought he was fully fit, but in hindsight race fitness is different and I know we wouldn’t have beaten him but Bow Echo gave him a hefty whack along the way. If you think, if you’re not fully fit and someone gives you a dig it doesn’t half knock the stuffing out of you, which is why he didn’t quite finish his race off.

“He’s come out of the race fine and trotted up fine. He’s looking great afterwards and I’m really happy with him.”

The Sussex Stakes was Zavateri’s first appearance at a mile and while Johnson Houghton sees no issue with competing again at that distance, the colt will next be seen at a distance he thrived over last term when a Group One winner.

“He will probably go for the City of York Stakes now on the Saturday at York,” continued Johnson Houghton.

“He gets the mile, but we don’t need to be precious over what distance we run him over and it’s more important to win races.

“It’s great to have him back and seven furlongs or a mile, there are definitely races to be won with him.”