Zero the hero

Zero Tolerance revelled in the testing conditions to hack up in the opening race at York today.

Jamie Spencer had the 15-2 shot smartly into his stride in the Newton Investment Management Stakes and setting a good pace on ground officially described as soft, the David Barron-trained five-year-old tacked down the centre of the course once in the straight.

It soon became obvious that his rivals were in trouble and Zero Tolerance strode readily clear before being heavily eased down to win as he liked by one and three-quarter lengths from Pagan Sky.

“We went through a lean spell here but we broke it last year and it’s nice to get going again,” Barron said.

“I think everything suited this horse today. They left him alone in front and he had his ground, and everything fell into place for him.”

Zero Tolerance was gaining compensation for connections, having been a strong fancy for the Lincoln only to be ruled out of the race at the 11th hour following a setback.

“Things didn’t go right for him up to the Lincoln, but things have gone right for him today,” Barron added.

“We’ll wait and see what the handicapper does – silly things happen on soft ground. He’s won off 96 today and being conservative he’s going to be 100, and where do you go? We’ll have to have a think.”

Describing the conditions, Spencer said: “It’s sticky and tacky and horses will get tired in it.”