Frankie Dettori sounds alarm over his biggest Breeders’ Cup ride as he admits ‘I can’t be too confident’
FRANKIE DETTORI has sounded the alarm over his biggest Breeders’ Cup ride and admitted: “I can’t be too confident.”
The world’s most famous jockey – who barely gets recognised out in the States – was speaking about his Champion Stakes hero King Of Steel.
Dettori and King Of Steel were awesome at Ascot – but can they do the business in the States?PA
Owned by Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing, the three-year-old colt has travelled over to California for the Turf on Saturday night.
Roger Varian’s gigantic three-year-old gave Frankie the dream send-off at Ascot just two weeks ago.
And his jockey is worried about the hard race he had in winning the £740,000 first-place prize.
Dettori, who turns 53 later this month, said: “Look, I can’t be too confident because he had a tough race at Ascot, he gave me everything and had a proper fight.
“It was only two weeks ago but I know Roger wouldn’t have brought him out here if he wasn’t confident he was OK after that race.
“He is a big boy, there is a lot of meat on him, and it’s a tight track which he has to race around, and we are taking on Mostahdaf and the Derby winner, so we will need some luck.”
King Of Steel is 6-1 third fav, behind market leader Auguste Rodin (11-4) and Mostahdaf (3-1).
He was much more positive, though, on the prospects of Inspiral, who he rides for John Gosden in the Filly and Mare Turf.
Dettori said: “She is in good form, she can be a little bit difficult and buzzy in the mornings but she followed her pony around and did a nice piece of work.
“I think the step up to a mile and a quarter will be fine, especially around here, and if she is anywhere near her best she will be hard to beat.”
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Dettori’s time in the US got off to an inauspicious start when he was banned three days for careless riding at Santa Anita, site of the Breeders’ Cup, last weekend.
The jockey was first past the post on Circle Of Trust but the horse was disqualified and placed last after stewards took a dim view of his riding.
Dettori also picked up a three-day ban that kicks in on Monday.
Away from the track he has been house-hunting with wife Catherine – and enjoying his relative anonymity.
He said: “I’ve been here a week now and I’m loving it. This is my new home, Catherine and I have been looking around places to live when we move here in December.
“I’m trying to make some connections with new trainers at the moment and the last few days I’ve been riding for anybody and everybody.
“It’s a little weird having to meet new people and introduce yourself.
“But I love that I can go out and nobody knows me. I went out the other night and went up to the bar and was looking round to see who was looking at me and if anyone wanted an autograph.
“Everyone just ignored me! I was having a chat with a random guy at the bar and he didn’t have a clue who I was when I introduce myself. I felt a bit stupid!”
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