MEYDAN: FRANKIE DETTORI BETWEEN JOY AND REGRET; DEMURO'S ENTERPRISE

Incredible Frankie Dettori! He ended up in the spotlight, not for racing reasons, but because of his disputes with the British tax authorities, and once again he proved he's one of the best jockeys in the world. On the magical night of the Dubai World Cup he won the Godolphin Mile (gr. 2) and came very close to winning the Dubai World Cup itself, forcing the English newspaper that ‘had put the monster on the front page’ to once again celebrate his sporting greatness:

‘Whatever else has happened off the saddle, Frankie Dettori is still a damn good jockey’, wrote the Racing Post

In fact, Lanfranco won the Godolphin Mile riding Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) trained by Doug O'Neill, practically always acting in the lead. ‘He's a smart horse,’ he said, ‘he runs a bit behind the reins and so I knew he would relax intermittently, but I also knew it wouldn't be easy for the others. Beautiful. It was a well-executed plan from start to finish. He's a tireless galloper, as long as I got my fractions right I knew I'd get to the end.’

Then, as we said, Dettori came close to the great feat with the American Mixto at 40 to 1. He stole time from everyone, flying away at the beginning of the home straight, but right at the winning post he was caught by the grey Hit Show, ridden by Florent Geroux, at 66 to 1. Only third was the big favourite, the winner of the Saudi Cup, Forever Young.

DEMURO OK

In the conference, a great victory also for Cristian Demuro who, with his Soul Rush, won the Dubai Turf (group 1, 5 million dollars over a distance of 1800 metres), overtaking the clear favourite Romantic Warrior at the finish line.

Finally, another fifth place for Giavellotto in the Sheema Classic.