Dettori the master string puller wins sixth Gold Cup

LONDON: Superstar Frankie Dettori produced a sublime ride on Stradivarius to bring up his sixth win in the week’s most historic race the Ascot Gold Cup and 60th at the meeting.

The 47- ye a r - ol d It a l i an – who received his trophy from Queen Elizabeth II as well as a saddlecloth with 60 on it – provided the perfect antidote for him and trainer John Gosden after the crushing disappointment as the odds on Cracksman was beaten in Wednesday’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

For Stradivarius’s owner Bjorn Nielsen this win could lead to a £1 million (1.4 million euros, US$1.32 million) bonus should the fouryearold colt win the Goodwood Cup and the Lonsdale Cup later this season.

Dettori, who won his first Gold Cup with Drum Taps back in 1992, had to work hard for the win, battling back after French raider Vazirabad had brief ly headed him inside the final furlong ( 200 metres).

“What a brave horse! He is a lion,” said Dettori.

“My horse just stuck his head out and it is wonderful to give John (Gosden) his first win in the race.” — AFP