Frankie storms ahead
LANDMARK WIN FOR DETTORI
CrACKSmAN tamed Storm Brian with a thunderous QiPCo Champion Stakes triumph that lit up Ascot – and took Frankie Dettori to a new landmark.
In a glittering career that stretches back more than three decades, Dettori had never captured the 10-furlong highlight of the £4.3million British Champions Day.
But the Italian set the record straight when driving the John Gosdentrained colt, a first Group 1 winner for the great Frankel, to an imperious seven-length margin.
Dettori, on board for the Anthony Oppenheimerowned three-year-old’s Derby third at Epsom in June, beamed: “Big up to John Gosden, the Oppenheimers, all the team for making his horse develop – a storming performance! What I rode today is not what I rode at Epsom. He’s stronger – he’s a good horse now.”
Cracksman was competing over 10 furlongs for the first time since the spring, but Dettori knew Storm Brian’s visit to Royal Berkshire had worked in the 13-8 market leader’s favour.
“When the rain came I was delighted – it made it more of a test of stamina,” added Dettori, who committed his partner to the front running to the final quarter mile.
“I played my ace – catch me if you can – because I knew he would get to the end, no problem.
“The headwind helped as well, because it made it even harder to get to the end.”
Gosden and Dettori had earlier captured the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes with 8-1 chance Persuasive, who signed off her career in style with a first Group 1 success.
Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom, fresh from watching the Seagulls’ 3-0 win at West Ham on Friday, secured his first Group 1 as an owner when Librisa Breeze triumphed in the British Champions Sprint Stakes. MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff has revealed he warned Lewis Hamilton not to protest during the United States National Anthem following a discussion on a flight back from Japan.
Hamilton (right), who could be crowned Britain’s first quadruple world champion here in Austin today, is not expected to kneel during the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner despite admitting his support for the movement.
The Englishman, Formula One’s first and only black champion, had considered following in the footsteps of a series of NFL players who have protested racial inequality in the country.
But on board Niki Lauda’s private jet – following the conclusion of the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this month – Wolff told Hamilton that he did not believe it would reflect positively on the Briton or the Mercedes brand.
“I feel very much aligned with him on human rights so from a personal perspective I could understand where he was coming from,” said Wolff.
“But on the other side, we discussed that even if you feel strong about showing your support against racism and human rights, that it is not our country, it is not our anthem, and you are offending many Americans that might have a strong view on the flag.”