Promising gelding Yorkshire has put a health scare behind him, lifting to win the Group 3 Festival Stakes at Rosehill — a result co-trainer John O’Shea admitted was a pleasant bonus.

The favourite in The Hunter first-up, Yorkshire was eased down and later diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia.
O’Shea told punters he was back on track but remained unsure about his fitness for the 1500-metre contest.

A positive Zac Lloyd ride proved decisive, with Yorkshire controlling the race throughout — a perfect lead-in to next month’s The Ingham.
“I thought one of the contributing factors with what happened to him at Newcastle, was he was unsaddled behind the gates… He got out of his rhythm,” O’Shea said.
“I was surprised he was able to control the race like he did, but that was the key to winning.”

Yorkshire ($2.70 fav) kicked strongly from the inside draw, holding off Arctic Glamour and Melody Again.
The win completed a treble for Lloyd, who earlier partnered Flying For Fun to Listed success.

Arctic Glamour’s trainer Gerald Ryan said she would head to The Ingham after another encouraging performance.
“I know The Ingham is going to be harder, but we’ll have a crack at it,” Ryan said.

In the Listed ATC Cup, 2023 Australian Derby winner Major Beel returned to form, with co-trainer Adrian Bott praising the step up to 2000m.
“The key is just getting out to 2000 metres today,” he said.

Major Beel now heads towards the Summer Cup.