GOODWOOD, England // The Frankie Dettori show rolled on on Friday as the Godolphin rider guided home another winner along the Sussex Downs for the Dubai-based operation.
After steering Rakasa to victory on Wednesday, and securing a double on Opinion Poll and Meeznah on Thursday, Neebras was another welcome relief for the jockey who continues to ride with a hairline fracture to his right foot.
Neebras had found Frankel far too stiff a rival at Royal Ascot last time, finishing fourth behind the world's best thoroughbred in the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes. With the colt's sights lowered to Listed level, however, there was no mistake, although it took the Italian rider a stride or two to get his mount into top gear after they were boxed in on the far side rail. Chef, trained by Andrew Balding, was second, while Western Aristocrat was third.
"I gave David Haye some stick for his toe in his boxing match [with Wladimir Klitchscko], but now that I have hurt mine I have got the greatest sympathy for him," said Dettori.
"The great thing was that as we crossed the line I could hear the cheer from the grandstand. It was quite emotional."
Earlier in the day, Dettori finished last on Campanologist in the mile-and-a-half Group 3 contest, won by Drunken Sailor.
Kieron Fallon's mount finished a disappointing 10th in the Melbourne Cup in 2009, but after a spring campaign at the Dubai Carnival, Luca Cumani reported that the six-year-old gelding could head to Australia once again as an improved horse.
"When we got him two years ago he was just an ordinary handicapper but he has done nothing but get better throughout," the victorious trainer said.
"This year he has developed a turn of foot, which he didn't have before, so that makes him a better candidate for Melbourne than last time.
"If the owners want to go I would be delighted to take him."
