WITH its fantastic triumph in the race to land next year's St Leger, York Racecourse is crowned the undisputed king of the turf.

No other course in the country could host two such eminent but diverse meetings as Royal Ascot and the St Leger, while maintaining its own summer of top-class racing.

The award of Yorkshire's classic meeting to York is the ultimate vote of confidence in the city's handling of Royal Ascot. Flawlessly executed, that event has already been acclaimed by everyone from royalty down. The decision to send Doncaster's most famous race north is the supreme compliment from racing's top brass to York's Ascot organisers.

Ironically, Knavesmire's victory comes at the expense of the Berkshire course, which was also bidding for the 2006 St Leger. York's celebrations, meanwhile, make up for the disappointment of losing the chance to host an Ascot sequel.

The St Leger gives York a chance to savour another sporting spectacular. This will be a very different event from Ascot. No top hats, no regal processions, but plenty of thrills and a wonderful opportunity for the city.

Fears over traffic gridlock expressed so readily before Ascot have been dispelled by the council's masterly traffic plan.

And there is plenty of time to draw up a strategy to ensure the whole of York benefits from this windfall. Where southern racegoers were whisked from the train to the track and back leaving the central streets deserted, we would hope St Leger's Yorkshire audience would be more easily persuaded to stay awhile amid York's charms.

Updated: 09:13 Tuesday, December 13, 2005