Atzeni handed plum Goodwood rides
Gosden selects jockey to deputise for Dettori Stradivarius will face maximum of 10 rivals
Andrea Atzeni has been called up to deputise for the suspended Frankie Dettori on Stradivarius and Without Parole at next week’s Qatar Goodwood Festival.
The rides on the two John Gosden-trained ante-post favourites were up for grabs after Dettori failed in his attempt to have the 10-day suspension he incurred at the July meeting at Newmarket overturned. He did get the ban cut to six days but will still miss the first two days of Goodwood.
Atzeni knows Stradivarius well, having won last year’s Goodwood Cup and Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot on the improving stayer.
Atzeni said: “Obviously it’s a shame for Frankie, but I was lucky enough to get the call. I am two from two on Stradivarius, which isn’t a bad record.”
Atzeni got his first feel of Without Parole, a son of Frankel, on the Newmarket gallops yesterday. “He is a good-moving horse. He’s by Frankel and probably one of the most laid-back sons of Frankel I’ve ridden. He’s a big, strong horse and I’m delighted to get the ride.”
Stradivarius was one of 11 horses confirmed for the Qatar Goodwood Cup at yesterday’s declaration stage and is generally a 4/7 chance to retain his crown.
Victory for the four-year-old son of Sea The Stars next week will put him within touching distance of landing the new Weatherbys Hamilton £1 million stayers’ bonus. To land the jackpot he also needs to win the Lonsdale Cup at York next month.
Stradivarius is likely to face some strong opposition, with Jessica Harrington’s Torcedor and the Aidan O’brien-trained Order Of St George set to take him on again after finishing third and fourth respectively behind him in the Ascot Gold Cup.
O’brien has also left in Idaho, Cypress Creek and Giuseppe Garibaldi. William Haggas could saddle the Queen’s Call To Mind, while Dal Harraild, Desert Skyline, Scotland and St Michel complete the entries.
Trainer Roger Fell reports 2,000 Guineas second Tip Two Win is likely to run in Tuesday’s Lennox Stakes at Goodwood rather than the Qatar Sussex Stakes the following day. “He’s in good form and great order. I’m very pleased with him,” Fell said.