Dettori’s Cup ambition given a Reality check
FRANKIE Dettori believes Master Of Reality has “the best staying form in the world” as the flamboyant Italian plots a Melbourne Cup coup for Joseph O’Brien and Lloyd Williams.
Dettori, 48, has contested 16 Melbourne Cups for runner-up finishes on Central Park (1999) and Max Dynamite (2015), often drawing caustic reviews.
But the champion jockey is confident Master Of Reality can finally deliver the international major he covets most — and a record-breaking seventh Cup for Williams.
Part-owner Nick Williams said Dettori locked himself in for the Cup ride after Master Of Reality finished only 1.1 lengths behind him on Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup in June.
“It would be fair to say on the Saturday, Frankie booked himself,” Williams said.
“He sent us a text message with his six Ascot trophies and said ‘Melbourne Cup, please. I’m coming to ride Master Of Reality’.
“He said ‘There’s only one trophy I need now.’
“He’s of the firm view the form that Master Of Reality showed on that day and in the lead-ups to Ascot is the best staying form in the world.
“Frankie’s obviously in love with Stradivarius.
“He thinks anything that can get that close to Stradivarius on level weights will be pretty competitive down here.”
Dettori was suspended for a month and fined $20,000 after causing severe interference on Max Dynamite four years ago.
Married to an Australian, Dettori has an abiding affection for the Cup, and desperation to win it.
“I can tell you that this race at this point of his career means more to him than any race in the world,” Williams said.
“It’s probably one of the few things he hasn’t won.
“I’m sure he’d love to go to Italy and win the Palio (di Siena) but this race would mean more to him than anything.”
Williams defended Dettori’s record in the Cup.
“He’s been down here a lot of times obviously but what you must remember through the Godolphin years and the Melbourne Cup being a handicap, a lot of times he was riding horses that were in very poorly at the weights,” he said.
Williams rates Latrobe as the class runner of the field, but says Caulfield Cup winner Mer De Glace is deserving favourite.
— Leo Schlink